ST Johnstone’s latest success in securing a European place next season should provide the template to fuel Partick Thistle’s aspirations.

That’s the view of Firhill goalkeeper Tomas Cerny after Perth manager Tommy Wright sealed fourth place and entry to next month’s draw for the fourth time in five years in charge at McDiarmid Park.

It is the most successful era in the Perth club’s history and while Cerny was disappointed that Thistle could not extend their winning sequence to five matches, he held up the opposition as a role model for a Firhill side basking in their highest top-flight finish for 36 years.

"Our ambition should be to do something similar to what St Johnstone have done over the past few years,” said the Czech, who pulled off a string of outstanding saves to prevent Saints coasting to the final whistle.

"We are a similar size of club, but I would say that they are maybe more mature and consistent than we are. I think we can definitely learn from them. They are a smart team.”

Cerny’s athleticism and fast reactions were impressive to deny Tam Scobbie a headed finish soon after the interval, with Saints leading through Danny Swanson’s first-half penalty.

He later showed bravely diving at the feet of Richard Foster before leaping to divert a Swanson thunderbolt over the target as Wright's side dictated the second half.

Cerny has been a vital component in the Thistle success story but he admitted a torn ligament had caused concern earlier in the season.

“I thought my season might actually be over back in November so I’m really grateful for the treatment that I received to help me get back playing this early,” he said.

“We have done very well at McDiarmid Park over the past couple of years, but this wasn’t out typical performance. We were too relaxed and not fighting. You could see the difference in St Johnstone – they were still fighting for the Europa League place.”

Next up are clashes with undefeated champions Celtic and then Aberdeen and Cerny doesn’t want the campaign to peter out.

“We should be fighting more for our pride and for our fans,” stressed Cerny. "We still have two big games to go against the top two teams in the country so the motivation should take care of itself.”

Perth defender Richard Foster is already looking forward to the June 10 Europa League qualifying draw, despite being restricted to a 19-day break with pop singer fiancee Amy Macdonald.

The standard of opposition won’t match teams like Valencia and Bayern Munich and household names like Sergio Aguero and Juan Mata that feature on his cv from spells with Rangers and Aberdeen, but at 31 Foster feared his days playing continental opposition were a thing of the past.

"My first start in a Champions League game for Rangers stands out,” he recalled. “A packed Ibrox, the music comes on, it was an incredible experience for me.

“To play in the Champions League is a dream for most players. The place was bouncing and we got a positive result.

"For a while now, Europe has been our goal and it's no mean feat to secure. Every season, people think we can't do it again, but we have a great spirit in the dressing room. The management team have been great and we produce some big results.

“You won't get a big team in the first round but it will be exciting and interesting."

Foster is in no doubt Saints merited another Europa League place, with Hearts now trailing nine points behind.

“I know the table shows a points different between ourselves, Rangers and Aberdeen, but in the games we have played against Aberdeen we are ahead on aggregate.

“So I don't think there is a big gulf between the top four, apart from Celtic of course. We grew in confidence and believed we could get to Europe.”