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St Johnstone v FC Luzern: Stevie May recalls his date with destiny

16/07/14
ST JOHNSTONE TRAINING
SWISSPORARENA - LUCERNE
St Johnstone ace Stevie May
16/07/14 ST JOHNSTONE TRAINING SWISSPORARENA - LUCERNE St Johnstone ace Stevie May

May 17 looms large in the life of St Johnstone’s star striker but there was also another day that was full of significance for Stevie May.

The date in question was July 25 2013 and the occasion was their Europa League second qualifying round return leg against Rosenborg at McDiarmid Park.

The Perth team held a precious 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Norway thanks to a goal from defender Frazer Wright.

However, Alexander Soderlund’s goal after only four minutes stunned the near-8,000 crowd and cancelled out Wright’s winner from Trondheim.

May, having spent much of the previous season on loan at Hamilton Accies, had been given a dramatic promotion to the Saints’ first team.

Manager Tommy Wright’s faith in him was vindicated when the then 20-year-old beat the Rosenborg offside trap on 21 minutes, bamboozled defender Mikael Dorsin then prodded David Wotherspoon’s through ball into the net to give the hosts the edge once again.

It was a seminal moment for May and Saints.

He would go on to score goal after goal, collect the prestigious Scottish Football Writers’ Association young player of the year award and creep ever closer to a full Scotland cap.

Saints would go on to qualify for the next stage of continental competition against FC Minsk and, more importantly, enjoy a wonderful domestic season that ended with that Scottish Cup final win over Dundee United on the day that bore the player’s name and squad number.

Just a day short of a year since that aggregate victory over the Norwegians, May will return to the St Johnstone starting line-up as they search for Europa League glory once again.

He watched the club’s excellent 1-1 draw in Switzerland against Luzern last Thursday night from the bench, with a thigh problem keeping him sidelined.

Now, though, May will be fit and ready to go when the teams resume second qualifying round battle and, with the Swiss defence showing some signs of weakness at their home ground, he could be a key man once again.

“It seems a lot longer than a year ago I came in and scored against Rosenborg because plenty has happened in that time,” he said.

“I got my chance because Chris Millar missed out but sometimes things happen for a reason in football. I managed to take the opportunity and got myself a regular place.

“Scoring in my first start against a team with a big name like Rosenborg was a massive confidence boost, of course it was.

“That night there was an element of showing everyone the manager, the fans and my team-mates that they can believe in me.

“In this game you always have things to prove to people.“You can’t make the transition from playing in the lower leagues to the Premiership without doing that.

“Luckily I was able to prove to people that I can score goals at this level and that I deserve to be here. I’ve enjoyed it and, in some ways, I can’t believe how good it’s been.

“But I’ve done that every season in which I have played, I have managed to make the next one better than the last. So my aim is to keep enjoying myself.

“I just want to keep loving playing football and taking the chances that come along. Then, at the end of the season, we will see where that takes me and see how we have done as a club.”

May insisted he could have featured in the Swissporarena last week had boss Tommy Wright felt he had to use him.

However, it didn’t work out that way as Steven Maclean’s goal secured a terrific result that makes Saints favourites to safely negotiate the return at McDiarmid.

“I’m fit and ready to play on Thursday,” declared May.

“I could have played last week but the manager didn’t think it was worth risking it. It might have been different coming off the bench if something had changed in the game but it didn’t work out that way.

“Being on the bench is tough because I have become used to playing all the time.

“Obviously, I want to play in every game but you can understand it as well because it would have been a nightmare if I had injured myself and been out for a while.

“But my thigh is fine now. It was a small strain. I have missed a few games but I am fully fit now and just desperate to get out there.

“Luzern are a good side, they have some decent players and we rode our luck at times. In saying that, we could easily have been 2-0 in front at one point so it’s all to play for.

“A score draw away from home is always a positive result so hopefully we can