JASON KERR was delighted his timely restoration to the St Johnstone starting 11 on Saturday coincided with a return to winning ways – ahead of their crucial Betfred Cup semi-final next weekend.
The St Johnstone skipper’s start against St Mirren was his first since being given his marching orders in the reverse defeat to Jim Goodwin’s side last month.
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That resulting suspension, superseded by time in self-isolation after he returned a positive test for Covid-19, saw Kerr miss all of St Johnstone’s five games before Saturday’s win which was their first since November.
“The last game I played against St Mirren I got sent off, so this definitely feels a lot better,” a visibly relieved Kerr said after the match.
“It was scrappy but it’s a win. The gaffer had said before the game that we would take a 1-0 like that and that’s what we’ve done.”
“We got a bit nervous because we haven’t won in a while and I think we were thinking ‘let’s just get the ball forward’ a bit too much. We knew how much a win meant, both in terms of the league which is getting tighter and going into our semi-final.”
The defender also revealed details of his Covid-19 diagnosis: “I don’t actually know where I got it so it shows just how careful everybody needs to be – wash your hands and wear your mask. It’s proof that it can get anyone.
“The more positive results that come back the greater the chance of football shutting down again and we really don’t want that to happen.”
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Having been involved with the club as a young player when St Johnstone won the Scottish Cup in 2014, Kerr knows just how special cup success can be. His side travel to Hampden Park next Saturday for their Betfred Cup semi-final with Hibs.
“I know it’s a different competition but this win will give us a lot of confidence going into the semi,” he said.
“It’s a winnable game. We all know that. We know we’re good enough to go and beat Hibs. I feel like we deserved to beat them in the last two games we’ve played.
“I was a young boy at the club at the time {when the 2014 Scottish Cup was won}.
“I know how much it meant to the likes of Macca and Stevie May who are still at the club, and how much it meant to the fans. It will be good to have Macca and Stevie’s experience in the build-up. They know what it takes to win a semi – and a final.”
St Mirren have been the story of the League Cup so far, beating Rangers on their route to the semi-final. They could set up a final date with St Johnstone if they can navigate their way past Livingston in this weekend’s other semi-final.
“Livingston are the favourites as they are the form team and they drew at Celtic Park so they are full of confidence right now,” said defender Joe Shaughnessy after Saturday’s match. “But I think it is two similar standard of teams and I am sure it will be a close game and I am looking forward to it.
“You want to get to finals in your career and have the chance to win silverware. After our win over Rangers in the quarter-final you really have to go and make it count now.
“There is no point winning that game and then bowing out in the semi-finals. We want to go all the way. It is a good opportunity for us to do that. All four teams will think the same.”
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