St Johnstone defender Laura Steedman is looking to use the “special” opportunity of Scottish Cup weekend to begin 2023 on the front foot.
The Perth side returns to the competitive scene on Sunday for the first time this year and face a fourth round trip to take on Dryburgh Athletic.
Coming away from Station Park in Forfar with a positive result can help kick-start a run of favourable results both in the cup and in the Scottish Women’s Premier League 2.
With the festive period pushed to the back of the mind, centre-half Steedman says Saints are raring to go.
“Having only a short break has helped everyone regroup whilst allowing us to stay fit and focused for the second half of the season,” she explained to the PA this week.
“Keeping the group together has meant everyone has a clear target of our next steps.
“The team is really looking forward to the return of competitive games, nothing beats the Sunday routine of football.
“And the Scottish Cup is always special, each match is an opportunity for everyone in the squad to give it their all as the opposition is usually different from the league teams.
“It’s a chance for players in all positions to increase competition within our squad too for league starts.
“Being part of the Scottish will hopefully allow us to play the way we know we can and start the new year on a positive note with a good performance which would see us in good shape going forward.”
While Dryburgh ply their trade a tier below Saints in the Scottish Women’s Championship, Steedman is well aware that there is no room for complacency.
“Dryburgh are a good side who have had some good results over recent months,” she said.
“Having finished runners-up to Edinburgh City in the cup, we know that they’ll have fire in their belly and want to have a good run in the Scottish Cup too.
“Our job is to concentrate on our game and produce the performance we know we are capable of.”
On their own league front, Saints sit third behind leaders Gartcairn and second-place Montrose.
Steedman hopes to see the growing support the team is receiving at home venue the Riverside continue to go from strength to strength in the coming weeks and months.
Steedman told the PA: “The support we’ve generated this season has been really noticeable at the Riverside.
“The team is thankful to those who have - and hopefully will - continue to do so in the new year. It really does make a difference.”
Sunday’s Scottish Cup round four match against Dryburgh at Station Park, Forfar, kicks-off at 4pm.
