St Johnstone defender Tam Scobbie cut a frustrated figure after Saturday’s stalemate with Kilmarnock but focused on the positives after the 0-0 draw in Perth.
Saints missed the chance to climb back above Dundee in the table and reclaim sixth spot, but Scobbie whose crucial second half block stopped Killie from taking all three points is still convinced that his side will go on to secure a place in the Premiership’s top half post-split.
“It could be a vital point for us,” he stressed.
“We’ve got some big fixtures coming up, we’ve obviously got Celtic coming up on Wednesday and then we’ve got a free week, but then after that we’re down to the nitty gritty and the last five games of the season before the split.
“At the end of the day it could be a massive point for us to help us get into the top six, so let’s hope it is.”
Scobbie’s last ditch block prevented Killie’s Nathan Eccleston from scoring what looked a certain goal as the weekend’s game entered its closing stages, although the defender admitted afterwards that he acted instinctively.
“I’m not sure what happened to be honest,” he added.
“The ball was cut back and I just happened to throw my body in the way and it hit off me, so thankfully it didn’t go in the goal.
“It was good for us to defend like that after some mistakes and pick up the point.
“But we’re a bit disappointed because we thought it should have been three with the play we had.”
His team-mate Steven Anderson was the man who gave the ball away in the run-up to Kilmarnock’s gilt-edged chance late on, but Scobbie was quick to defend the centre half.
He continued: “These things happen in games.
“I’ve made a few mistakes in the past and boys have covered for me so it’s just something that happens.
“We’re just delighted to get away with it and we tried to push on and get a goal but it just never happened.”
With a trip to Celtic Park ahead on Wednesday night, Saints will assess defender Frazer Wright today after he was forced off on Saturday through injury.