Melker Hallberg smiled he didn’t expect to be playing beside Ryan McGowan in the centre of the park this season.
But the St Johnstone pair dove-tailed efficiently on Saturday afternoon to win the tussle of Tayside and capture an important three points against Dundee United.
McGowan has been drafted into a more advanced role due to injuries and unavailability but has impressed with powerful running and his ability to break up play.
“If I’m being honest, maybe I didn’t think that he would be playing next to me in the middle of the pitch,” smiled Hallberg, who netted the second in a well-earned 2-1 win.
“But he’s been very good there in the last two games. He’s done the dirty work and has shown his quality on the ball as well. He’s got so much experience, which helps the team a lot.”
Hallberg’s sweeping first half finish had followed on from super Stevie May’s precise opener.
“It was great to get my first goal in the league this season,” he said.
“It was something we’d been working on all week. To see that work pay off at the end of a good move was perfect.
“The Dundee United win was a massive one for us. It’s keeps the momentum we have built up going.
“I think we did a really good job – especially in the first half. It was well deserved."
The Swede believes Saints have found the missing piece of the jigsaw in recruiting Nicky Clark, who has worked nicely with May in the forward department.
“The role I’ve got now suits me perfectly,” Hallberg added.
“I can drop deep and build the play from there. Like against Dundee United, I can push into the box and hopefully score goals, as well as helping to create them. It’s a role I really like.
“Having Stevie May and Nicky Clark up front certainly gives me great options. They were both brilliant on Saturday.
“Nicky keeps the ball up there so well. It was something we were lacking a little bit.
“It helps the team get up the pitch and put pressure on our opponents near their box.
“I know he’s going to score a lot of goals for us as well.”
Saints are back on the road Wednesday night for a league fixture with Kilmarnock, who sit six points behind Callum Davidson’s side.
Hallberg says there is confidence flowing through the dressing room.
He explained: “Confidence is the biggest difference.
“The signings we made in the summer have obviously helped us as well.
“We did go into games last season thinking we would win but you can see that this season has been much better. We don’t want to be back in a relegation battle.
“You can’t let yourself look too far ahead – it’s a difficult game against Kilmarnock next.
“We’ll take one game at a time, hopefully keep this run going, and see how far that takes us.
“We respect every team. Kilmarnock will be no different.
“We’ll try to bring our best game, like we tried to against Dundee United.”
