GWION EDWARDS hopes Stevie May's appearance against Dundee United tomorrow does not turn out to be his last as a St Johnstone player.
Peterborough United and Rotherham United have both had offers for May rebuffed over the past six months but other clubs are expected to come in for the 21-year-old striker when the transfer window reopens later this week.
The Scotland Under-21 forward has scored 12 goals in just 20 games in his first season back in the top division after two seasons out on loan at Alloa Athletic and Hamilton Academical. Edwards, on loan at McDiarmid Park from Swansea City, believes May has not had the credit he deserves in comparison to many of the United players he will line up against tomorrow. Edwards believes May will be a huge success if he moves on.
"Stevie has shown this season he is an outstanding player," said the Welshman. "He is getting goals almost every week - but he's not getting the praise that the United players are getting. He's on the same level and he deserves to be bracketed with them. He's a natural goalscorer who works hard on his game outside training. He's got the ability to go to the top."
St Johnstone head into tomorrow's game on the back of a narrow defeat by Celtic and Edwards believes the Perth side can take confidence from their display if not the result. "It was a good performance from the team and we were disappointed not to get anything from it," he added. "But I suppose we can take heart from how we played in the second half into our next game against Dundee United. Our work-rate was great in the second half. Every player put 100% in. It's only a matter of time before we get back on a good run."
It is a sentiment that will resonate over in Tayside, too, since United were on an auspicious run of form before being tripped up by St Mirren on Boxing Day. The Tannadice side are still nursing a few bruises from that defeat - not least Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven, who both came in for some rough treatment in Paisley. Jim Goodwin, the St Mirren captain, was charged with being the most physical opponent before his withdrawal late in the first half but Sean Dillon does not want United to be intimidated.
"We've got lads in the squad who are really talented and can pass the ball and create chances," said the United defender, who is expected to take the place of the suspended Keith Watson tomorrow. "I'd be surprised if the manager told us to forget that because we think other teams are going to try and rough it up with us."
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