Livingston boss David Martindale has picked out Saints striker Callum Hendry as a “potent” strike threat ahead of Saturday’s clash with St Johnstone.
“We’ve identified strengths and weaknesses on the Saints’ side,” said Martindale.
“St Johnstone have three or four very good players – a lot of their team are the same that won the cup double a few years ago – and we’re going to have to do our best to try and keep them at bay.”
“Callum Hendry is a decent player and a potent strike force.
“He has scored a few goals against us and has chipped in on some big, big goals for the Saints.”
St Johnstone’s Hendry has scored in each of his last three league appearances against Livi.
Overall, he has five Scottish Premiership goals against them, his top figure against any opponent in the division.
Martindale admitted: “There’s a lot on the line for St Johnstone – they don’t want to be in the play-offs. But I think it’s a game we’re more than capable of picking up the three points in.
“That being said, Callum (Saints boss Davidson) will be telling his players the exact same thing.
“We’re in a great place form-wise, and we have momentum on our side – we’re going into this looking to take those three points.”
The Livingston manager maintains that his team are in good form, while St Johnstone’s form away has been poor, drawing 0-0 to Dundee at Dens Park and losing 7-0 to Celtic at Parkhead.
St Johnstone have only scored eight away goals in the Scottish Premiership this season, the fewest of any side, with the Saints also managing the fewest shots on target of any side on their travels – 43.
Livi’s squad will also head into the game at the Tony Macaroni stadium with last month’s refereeing upset when the clubs met still fresh in their minds.
The Lions lost 1-0 to Saints at McDiarmid Park when they were not awarded a penalty in the closing stages, despite what looked like a clear handball from Saints defender Dan Cleary.
Martindale added: “More or less we’re going to worry about ourselves this weekend.
“We are the in-form team with 44 points behind us so we need to focus on ourselves rather than where St Johnstone are in the league.”
The Livingston v St Johnstone match will be available to stream live from 2.30pm on Saturday, May 7 on LFCLive.
The game kicks off at 3pm.
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