St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas intends to bring a ”calming influence” to the McDiarmid Park dressing room as the Perth players continue to raise supporters’ expectations with their performances.
Since the Northern Irishman took over from Derek McInnes, Saints have drawn at Ibrox and defeated the two Edinburgh clubs.
If they continue their impressive run of form with a win against Motherwell on Saturday, they’ll be just one point off third position in the SPL and talk of qualifying for Europe will get louder. But it’s the mention of just those sort of ”ifs” that Lomas is keen to guard against.
He pointed out: ”We have a big week coming up with tough games, for different reasons, against Motherwell, Aberdeen and Celtic. We have to be careful we don’t get ahead of ourselves.
”But I have told the lads if they continue to play like they did against Hearts and go to places like Tynecastle, show no fear and continue to take games to the opposition, who knows how far they can go this season?
”They thoroughly deserve all the plaudits they are getting. It is all there for us this season after such a fantastic start but there’s no way anyone can rest on their laurels. The lads are professional enough to know that.
”I am well aware expectations are being raised, and that is to be expected. But myself and Tommy Wright have to bring a calming influence to bear with a big week looming, starting with a tough game against Motherwell.”
Lomas should get the results of Frazer Wright’s thigh scan today, after he limped off at Tynecastle. And striker Fran Sandaza missed the weekend players’ Christmas night out to continue treatment to a similar problem.
Photo Kirk O’Rourke/PA