First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
Amidst our momentous Champions '83 celebrations, we host St Johnstone in the hopes of kickstarting our cinch Premiership campaign back into life. Get familiar with Saturday's opposition.
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Overview
Surprisingly, most of St Johnstone's points have been attained on the road this season, as they sit 3rd in the away league table. Saints have secured five wins away from McDiarmid, but have failed to find home comforts with a measly three triumphs in Perth. Fir Park has proved a happy hunting ground, leaving Lanarkshire with maximum points on both visits.
Having endured a stop-start campaign overall, they have only put back-to-back victories together once, defeating Kilmarnock and Rangers in quick succession.
United's last league victory came at the expense of Callum Davidson's men just after the turn of the year, with a late strike from former Saints striker Tony Watt settling the scores after a dominant performance from the Terrors. Watch the story of the match below!
???? "Attitude and application"
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 3, 2023
???? | #STJUTD | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/O0HfcWiyVM
A tenacious playing group under the guise of Callum Davidson has the worst disciplinary record in the division, with 66 yellow cards in their 25 matches and an accompanying four reds.
One of the dismissals came in their last outing against Celtic - Andy Considine seeing insult added to injury after netting a first-half own goal as he was given his marching orders. The red shown to the former Aberdeen man sees him suspended for this weekend's match.
St Johnstone seemingly pose a threat from outside the area, with 43% of their efforts on goal being taken from outwith the 18-yard box. The danger was laid bare versus Celtic on Matchday 24 when a long-range, opportunist strike from Drey Wright nestled into the bottom corner to drag his side back into the contest.
Dundee striker Zak Rudden was the only addition to Davidson's squad during the winter window, whilst bit part defender John Mahon left for Sligo Rovers.
If You Know Your History
Despite Saints being in the Second Division (now the Championship), the sides did meet during our triumphant 1982/83 season. United recorded 3-0 wins both at Tannadice and Muirton Park in the League Cup group stages, with Billy Kirkwood, Paul Sturrock, Eamonn Bannon and Davie Dodds all on the scoresheet during the two clashes.
Current United players Glenn Middleton and Peter Pawlett have represented St Johnstone throughout their careers - the former even lifted the Scottish Cup in blue during the 2020/21 season.
Ones To Watch
The aforementioned Drey Wright has been a shining light for Saints during his second spell with the club.
After an injury-plagued 2018/19 season, Wright eventually swapped Perth for Edinburgh at the cessation of the following campaign, being snapped up by Hibernian. However, he found himself without a contract offer from Lee Johnson in the summer and made a surprising return to his former club.
The versatile 27-year-old can play in a multitude of positions across the park - having been deployed as a right back, right winger, central midfielder or second striker. Wright has played in all 25 of St Johnstone's league matches this season, scoring five goals. At the other end, he sits in the top 15 Scottish Premiership players for tackles per 90.
Goal of the game so far from Drey Wright has the hosts right back in this match ????
— Football Scotland (@Football_Scot) February 5, 2023
pic.twitter.com/NYoWTsr9cr
Fellow Saints comeback kid Stevie May has seen his role change from hotshot to provider, enjoying a deeper lying role which has seen him pick up a respectable five assists during the 2022/23 campaign.
May's ongoing contribution to the club was rewarded with an extension to his deal, as he committed his future to the Perth outfit until at least 2025.
