The taste they got of Europa League action last July, and a desire to go deeper in the competition, will drive St Johnstone to the tape in the race for third place in the SPL, according to Nigel Hasselbaink.
The Dutch supersub, who set-up Saints’ winner against Inverness Cale-donian Thistle on Saturday to take them to within just a point of Terry Butcher’s side, said: “There was a great atmosphere in the Europa League game here against Eskisehirspor, and we’d love to experience that again.
“We felt we were unlucky to go out and it would be great to get a chance to go further if we make it again.”
He added: “We have done well over the course of the season and now we want to finish as high as possible for ourselves and for the club.
“That means third. Every match is a final for us now. We needed to win this one to stay in the race. It’s a really good chance we’ve given ourselves now.”
Two influential midfielders will be monitored over the next few days to see if they will be available for Saturday’s Tayside derby against Dundee United.
Mehdi Abeid had an excellent game on Saturday before hobbling off near half-time, while Murray Davidson didn’t play at all.
Manager Steve Lomas said: “Mehdi might have strained his thigh but we’re hoping it’s just a dead leg.
“Murray’s been doing some straight line running so we’ll see where he’s at later in the week.”
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