Dave Mackay believes Celtic and Aberdeen will both be beatable as the race for fourth spot reaches a frenetic finale.
The St Johnstone captain was disappointed and frustrated that his team couldn’t put clear blue water between themselves and Dundee United at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
The Tangerines took the lead through John Rankin only for Murray Davidson to head the Perth side level.
That meant the Tayside rivals are tied on 53 points each, with United’s three-goal advantage keeping them in the coveted fourth position.
The club that wins the battle between these sides will then sit and hope Inverness Caley Thistle win the Scottish Cup final as that will secure Europa League qualification.
Mackay, who missed a penalty just before half-time after Michael O’Halloran was fouled by Callum Morris, thinks Saints are still capable of getting there despite having the champions to play at McDiarmid on Friday night and then facing a trip to Pittodrie nine days later.
“We have to try and go into the last two games and get six points,” he said.
“Perhaps you could say the campaigns are over for both of those sides (Celtic and Aberdeen) so maybe they will rest some players and we can take advantage.
“We have beaten both Celtic and Aberdeen this season so, hopefully, we can get enough points to get fourth place.
“Mind you, you have to say it is advantage United right now,” added Mackay, suggesting that the Tangerines have the more winnable remaining fixtures away to Inverness Caley Thistle and home to Dundee.
“They are above us on goal difference and have an easier run-in on paper but it doesn’t always work that way.”
Mackay took the spotkick because the usual nominee Brian Graham, still an on-loan United player despite agreeing a pre-contract deal with Ross County, was ineligible to play.
In truth, it was less of a miss and more of a terrific save from Tannadice goalie Rado Cierzniak but that didn’t make it any easier for Mackay to deal with the disappointment.
“I think we did enough to win that game and, had my penalty gone in, we would have done so,” said Mackay.
“I didn’t realise it was so close to half-time and it was a crucial point in the game.”