Jamie Murphy is hoping St Johnstone soon enjoy the rub of the green that he believes is key to cinch Premiership survival.
The Perth side are on a wretched run of form with two wins in the last 15 games in all competitions.
And with seven league fixtures remaining, Callum Davidson’s side sit in ninth place, five points clear of Ross County in the relegation play-off spot and seven ahead of bottom side Dundee United.
Murphy, 33, who joined Saints last summer after they had ensured top-flight status by beating Inverness in the Premiership play-off final, believes the league is as tight as it has ever been and some good fortune would not go amiss.
The former Motherwell, Sheffield United and Rangers attacker, capped twice by Scotland, said: “I definitely think that has been a big thing this year.
“Obviously Aberdeen have improved recently and Hearts at one point looked like they were ahead (when in third) but I don’t think there is much between everyone else (outside the Old Firm).
“A lot of that comes down to that first goal on a Saturday or a lucky bounce here or there or whatever. You’ve just got to put that work in and hope the bounces go your way.
“Obviously St Johnstone fans don’t want it like that but fans of the league want it tight.
“We would rather be much further ahead but it is what it is, you just have to get those points on the board.
“It (the prospect of relegation) has always been there. This is a hard league, I’ve obviously played in it a long time and it’s difficult.
“It was never going to be an easy season with the disappointments they had last year. You want to win every game and stay as far away from the bottom as possible.
“We are all working hard in training. There is a whole lot of work behind the scenes from the staff. You have to focus on that, keep doing it and not just give up.
“We have enough about us to be playing in the top tier. It has been disappointing of late but we certainly won’t be giving up any time soon.
“There are seven games between now and the end of the season. It’s up to us to play well enough to put points on the board.”
