The manner of St Johnstone’s weekend victory over Kilmarnock is a sign that the Perth side have the right DNA for a successful season, according to Andy Considine.
The veteran defender has been confident from day one that the squad Callum Davidson has assembled is one with high potential.
And results like Saturday’s 1-0 win over Kilmarnock are reinforcing that faith.
“We knew coming into this game how tough it would be and how important the result would be,” said the former Scotland international.
“We didn’t keep the ball well enough at times but when we did get to grips with the ball we looked threatening.
“They’re a big team who put a lot of balls into the box.
“But Remi (Matthews) didn’t have much to do. We defended really well as a team and thoroughly deserved the result.
“The confidence throughout the squad is really high.
“I think the manager has recruited well and put together a strong squad and a great dressing room.”
Considine added: “There were a huge amount of changes in the summer – in and out.
“It was always going to take time.
“You can now see Graham Carey and David Wotherspoon back and the effect that’s having. Jamie Murphy should hopefully be OK for next week.
“We really do have a very talented squad.
“We’ll keep taking it a game at a time.
“Rangers next weekend is a huge challenge but it would be great to try and get maximum points before the World Cup break.
“Everybody is targeting a strong finish to this part of the season.
“Results like that are the ones you look back on at the end of the season and say, ‘it wasn’t pretty but that was a huge three points’.”
Feeding off goals
The man whose deflected fourth minute shot settled the contest, Stevie May, was a team-mate of Considine’s at Aberdeen.
Like the side as a whole, confidence can be seen surging through Saints’ top scorer.
“You know what it’s like for strikers,” said Considine. “They feed off goals.
“He scored a cracking header last week and has followed it up today.
“He was kicking himself in the dressing room that he didn’t get another one – it would have been a carbon copy of the Hibs goal.
“When he joined us at Aberdeen it was after serious knee injuries.
“He hit the ground running there and did well.
“Now, after coming back down here he’s really kicking on again.
“I know from my own experience how hard it is to come back from a bad injury, mentally.
“It can be horrible.
“Stevie’s gone through that.
“The reason you fight your way back is to do what you love most – and for him, that’s scoring goals.
“He came on the scene early and he’s only 29 so he’s got a lot of good years ahead of him.”
Ever present
Considine rivals May for key man status in this team and hasn’t missed a game since arriving from Pittodrie.
“There are five or six of us in our 30s and a lot of people might think we’re an ageing squad,” he said.
“But boys were running up and down the park there in the 96th minute.
“That was a really good shift.
“For me it was about playing football. That’s all I’ve ever wanted since I started at 16 or 17.
“Thankfully my knee has been great and long may that continue.
“I’d like to think I’m helping the team and I’m enjoying playing alongside Gordy and big Mitch.
“We’ve got a good understanding, the three of us.”
Conversation