St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes has said there will be neither arrogance nor complacency from his players as they close out their SPL campaign, while defender Graham Gartland disclosed the full extent of his health scare.
The Perth men have earned the luxury of going into the post-split period without the threat of relegation hanging over them-the only side in the bottom six that can make that boast.
However, there will be no rest and relaxation for Saints in the final five fixtures, starting with the home game against St Mirren at McDiarmid Park tomorrow.
Indeed, McInnes said his players have plenty to play for and are desperate to finish a fine first season back in the top flight in style.
“We have to treat the remaining games the way we have treated our matches from day one in this league,” said McInnes.
“When we opened the season against Motherwell there was enthusiasm, determination and energy about us. I want that from now until the end of the campaign.
The Buddies have produced the league result of the season with their 4-0 thrashing of Celtic, the result that led to manager Tony Mowbray’s departure, and came within a whisker of lifting the Co-operative Insurance Cup, out-playing Rangers in the final.
As such, no one needs to tell McInnes how difficult it may be at McDiarmid this weekend.
“We are coming up against a team that is working very hard to stay in the league,” he said.Dave Mackay has a calf problem but McInnes described it as “nothing significant” and he could still be fit.
Peter MacDonald and Stevie Milne have trained this week and if they come through the rest of the training then they will be in the squad.
Graham Gartland, who was on the bench for the 3-1 win over Aberdeen last weekend after a seven-game absence, has revealed the extent of his health scare.
Gartland, who is keen to extend his stay after his deal ends in the summer, was struck down by a virus.
“I have been asthmatic since I was 16 but at the start of the season I had an SPL health check and it was decided I didn’t need the medicine any more so they took it off me.
“But it (the asthma) returned with a vengeance when I was sick and it really floored me.
“I saw three doctors and a chest specialist to try and get to the bottom of it. It was a bit worrying”I was getting worse and worse but now we have it all sorted out and I am on the way back.”