Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has challenged his side to halt St Johnstone’s resurgence today.
The Dons are still hurting from their first league loss of the season last weekend at Caley Thistle and are eager to get back to winning ways when Saints visit Pittodrie today.
But Tommy Wright’s men have recovered from a sluggish start to the season to look much more like the resilient team of the last campaign.
The Perth men handed Rangers their first loss of the season with an emphatic 3-1 win at Ibrox in the League Cup last week before helping to end Jackie McNamara’s reign at Dundee United by coming from behind to beat United 2-1 with 10 men.
McInnes knows all about the qualities of his former club and has warned his players they will need to produce a strong performance to win today.
He said: “St Johnstone will be a tough game as always because they have good players and always bring a competitive edge.
“They have goals at the top end of the pitch, have experience and a good physical presence.
“They are everything that people talk about.
“They didn’t get off to a great start but in the last few weeks are back to the St Johnstone you know.
“No one is surprised when they beat Rangers at Ibrox and follow up with a big result against Dundee United.
“That’s what you expect from them. They’re up and running now and look like a team which will be up at the top end of the table pushing for Europe.”
McInnes, who hopes to have Niall McGinn fit to face Saints despite suffering a groin injury at Inverness a week ago, has urged other players at Pittodrie to follow Graeme Shinnie’s lead and force their way into the Scotland squad.
Shinnie was rewarded for a fine start to the campaign when he was called into the national squad for the first time for the European championship qualifiers against Poland and Gibraltar.
McInnes said: “Gordon Strachan has put together a squad over the last few years which is familiar.
“It is hard to break into but I think what he’s seen is the flexibility and the quality Graeme has. He’s played in big games, played in Europe and I’m sure Gordon has taken note of that.
“If a team is doing well it’s because individuals are doing well in it and Graeme has been one of them.
“As a manager it’s great to see players being recognised and hopefully there are a few others here who want to follow him.”