Richard Foster insists St Johnstone are determined not to “drift” towards the end of the season.
The Perth club have shown in the post-split matches thus far, by beating Dundee and drawing with St Mirren, that they have plenty of fight left in them.
That is despite their being safe in seventh spot, unable to move any higher or be involved in the cut-throat relegation battle.
They host Livingston at McDiarmid Park this afternoon, not exactly without a care in the world but knowing that they have it easier than others.
Nevertheless, Foster claims there will be no easing off as they aim to be the best they can be.
“We are determined not to drift to the end of the season because there is personal pride to play for,” said Foster.
“The last two games we have played teams, in Dundee and St Mirren, who are fighting for their lives.
“So the fact we have had a win and a draw in those games shows we are still battling away.
“We want to finish seventh in the league because that is the best we can achieve.”
Foster admitted that the pain of finishing in the bottom half of the table is still being felt in the dressing-room.
He said: “The disappointment of missing out on top six is still there but it’s done now and we just have to focus on finishing in the highest spot possible.
“You look back on certain games: the Hibs match, for example, where we were 1-0 up and cruising then they scored that controversial penalty and went on to win it with 10 men.
“Then there is also the penalty kick thing because I have never known a team to have a run like we have had.
“When does that ever happen? Scoring a few more of them would have made a huge difference.
“But every team will be able to look back on certain incidents or certain games and say what could have been.
“We felt we could have got into the top six but fell just short.
“I suppose the big thing is that we have stayed in the league comfortably and we’ve gone into the bottom six games with no relegation pressure on us.
“The club always says that every season the first aim is to make sure we are in the Premiership the following season.
“But within the dressing-room we thought we had a real chance of it but we just couldn’t get over the line.
“The top six is a tough place to get into these days, especially with Kilmarnock doing so well and Hibs getting that boost from changing manager.”
While the Dark Blues and Buddies had so much at stake when they faced Saints, the same can’t be said for Livi.
Their results in the first half of the campaign made them safe and secure but Foster is still expecting a testing time.
He said: “Livingston are in a similar position to us but I still expect it to be a tough game.
“They have done really well this season, are organised and hard working. They also have good players.
“They established themselves in the league early on and have looked very comfortable.
“The games we have had against them have always been very competitive.
“Both teams have pride to play for and Livi will want to finish the highest they can, just as we do.
“Hopefully we can put on a performance and get a good result.”
