Michael O’Halloran is the Premiership player of the month for November, but according to his manager he could just as easily have been the Premiership player of the month for October, September or August.
And if this consistency of excellence is extended for another few months, he could end up being player of the year.
“It is a deserved award,” Tommy Wright said. “Probably only Leigh Griffiths has played as well as Michael.
“I have been pleased with him since he signed. When he first came here we won the cup and he scored five or six goals from January to the end of the season.
“Now he is chipping in with goals, he has more assists and there is a level of consistency and maturity about his game.
“Before, people might have said they were concerned about what Michael would turn up. They can’t say that this season.
“He could have won this award for any month but he is at St Johnstone and it has taken this long for the penny to drop.
“He would have to be a player of the year contender if he keeps this form going.
“But we are just 16 games in and we have a long way to go. I just want him to continue in this vein of form and have something meaningful at the end of the season another top six and hopefully do well in the cups.”
Transfer speculation surrounding O’Halloran has grown in recent weeks, but Wright is comfortable with the situation.
“Teams are watching games but no one has contacted us about Michael,” he explained. “We don’t need to sell him and we aren’t hawking him about. We want to keep him. It is as simple as that. We are trying to extend his contract beyond 2017.
“Michael will getting good advice but all we are doing is keeping him focused on what he is doing. Performances are getting him player of the month and allegedly linked with other clubs. The bottom line is that he has to keep it going.”
St Johnstone have always been more about the collective than the individual, a point O’Halloran was keen to stress on receiving his award.
“It’s credit to how well the team is doing at the moment,” he said. “We are doing so well in the league and we’re in the semi-final. I am delighted.
“I had a good season under my belt last season when I was playing week in and week out. Maybe I’ve taken it to another level. That’s what comes from playing consistently. I am enjoying myself as well, which plays a major part.
“I have changed from the left to the right this season. I’m more predominantly right footed which is maybe a wee difference but I am happy to play anywhere and contribute to the team in any way.
“We are a more attacking side now, and the results prove that.
“It suits me because defending is not really my game.
“We have a good team spirit and all chip in together. If we need to put ourselves in the firing line we will.
“We are all given our jobs defensively as you can see by the manager on the sidelines. If anybody does not track their runner or track back they get an earful.
“When you come to a new team it’s all about understanding your role and how the manager wants you to play. Sometimes I would maybe switch off but to be honest I think I am getting better at my defensive game and tracking back. It’s good for me and helps my role even more.”
Building on their impressive start to the season is the next target for Saints, starting with a tough trip to face Ross County tomorrow.
“A lot of people are saying we could split Hearts and Aberdeen or even go above them,” O’Halloran said. “As a team we know we are capable. There is a lot of football still to be played but we have given ourselves a real good chance and we will keep working away.
“First and foremost our aim as a team is to get into the top six, then we push on from there. You have to aim high and be ambitious.”
Wright believes the match will “come too early” for Steven Anderson, whose ankle is still swollen. Tam Scobbie is set to replace him. Graham Cummins could be back for the Celtic match the following weekend.