St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright has talked up his team’s chances of finishing fourth in the Premiership.
The Perth boss admitted that four European campaigns in a row have taken their toll on the Saints players but that doesn’t mean he believes a fifth campaign is outwith their reach.
Going into the post-split top six fixtures they are just one point behind Motherwell, who currently hold the last position for the Europa League qualifiers should Celtic win the Scottish Cup.
Wright, who will try to walk the tight-rope of giving a few young players a taste of action in the run-in as well as shooting for fourth, said: “The players have still got enough in the tank.
“They’re looking forward to the last five games and will give it a right go.
“If we finished before the split like Motherwell then everyone would be saying we’ve had a great season.
“We’ve had some unbelievable performances – Aberdeen away, Hearts away and Rangers away.
“I’m delighted with the players. They have done themselves and the club proud again.
“We want Europe again and we would deal with it as we dealt with it this year. But it’s been harder.”
On his intention to give youth a chance in the next few weeks, Wright added: “It’s important to introduce some young players and I will do that.
“The club is in a good position and we have good young players coming through. We’re already working hard towards next season and have one signed on a pre-contract.
“But to stay on the coat-tails of those above we need to make sure we put some investment in to the squad.
“And to be fair to the chairman, he already said he’s going to do that.”