Carey wants St Johnstone to enjoy strong end to frustrating season

The midfielder rued inconsistency over the last month or two.

Graham Carey wants St Johnstone to enjoy strong end to frustrating season SNS Group

Graham Carey has targeted a strong finish to a frustrating season for St Johnstone.

With three games remaining before the cinch Premiership splits into two, Callum Davidson’s side are in ninth place, eight points behind six-placed Hibernian.

While a top-half finish is now unlikely, the Perth side are eight points ahead of second-bottom Ross County, who visit McDiarmid Park on Saturday.

Midfielder Carey described the campaign as a “bit of frustration”, but, after four games without a win, he wants a positive conclusion.

The 33-year-old said: “We have had spells when we have been really good, especially before the (World Cup) break, we were on a good run.

“The last month has been inconsistent with fixtures. We have had weeks off and it has been tough to be training and not having a game at the end of the week.

“But now we have a run of games we can look forward to and hopefully we can pick up some wins.

“The aim is to win as many games as possible. Top six is probably a bit too far now, but we will still try to win the three games before the split and see where it takes us.

“But we want to finish as high as possible and finish the season on a positive.

“We know we have got a lot of talent in the group.

“It has been difficult here at home, but we do have enough in the squad to win games. So we need to look forward.”

The former Celtic, St Mirren, Ross County and Plymouth player, who joined the Perth club from CSKA Sofia last summer, knows home form will have to improve.

Saints have gone eight games at McDiarmid Park without a win since overcoming Rangers last November.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international said: “The pitch can be difficult at times, but we can’t just put it down to the pitch. Both teams have to play on it.

“We have definitely have felt more comfortable away from home for some reason. That is something we have to look at.

“Teams shouldn’t be coming here picking up as many wins as they are doing, but that’s down to us”.

Carey is expecting a tricky test against the Dingwall club, whom he played for between 2013 and 2015.

He said: “It will be a tough game because they are fighting for their lives and they need to pick up three points as well.

“But we know we have enough quality in the team to cause them problems and win the game so we will just focus on that.

“I really enjoyed it up there. It is a real good club and Roy (McGregor) runs the club really well.

“I have a soft spot because my son was born up there while I was playing for Ross County.

“I really enjoyed it there, but we will be trying to beat them on Saturday”.

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