Look North: Wright's men to keep pushing as finish line approaches

PROUD Scot (@chrisgraham79) pinpoints his best bet from the weekend Scottish Premiership action.

St Johnstone v Livingston | Saturday 4th May 2019, 15:00

It's the last but one but one weekend in the Scottish Premiership and Celtic need just a point in the card opener against Aberdeen to clinch an 8th straight title. Four other fixtures have title, Europe and relegation ramifications attached to them but I'm focusing on the match with the least riding on it, St Johnstone v Livingston.

It's been a fabulous season for Livi, after two consecutive promotions they find themselves well clear of relegation bother as the curtain comes down on the season. That's not what the odds were suggesting back last summer.

Pragmatic Livi

The secret to their success lies in a terrific opening half of the campaign where they sprinted to Christmas with just six defeats in their opening 19 matches. Engineered by manager Gary Holt, Livi's awkward pragmatic style of play thwarted all of Celtic, Rangers, Hearts, Kilmarnock and Hibs within that period.

Since the turn of the year though it's been more of a toil for the club. They've won just three times since mid-December and the diminishing threat of relegation has perhaps made them less sharp and disciplined.

In their last two matches they've lost to St Mirren and drawn with Hamilton. These results would have been poor a few months back but with the pressure off now there's no alarm. Manager Holt was decidedly relaxed in his post-match interview last week at Hamilton.

Taskmaster Wright

In contrast St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright continues to demand and ask from his players. Wright's a proud man and he'll be disappointed his side couldn't get into the Top 6 after a win-laden run of form in the final Q of 2018.

Saints last week surpassed their points tally from last season and that was referenced by Wright. His next goal will surely be to finish 7th (a place higher than 2017/18) and end the season with three wins. That task starts at home on Saturday.

St Johnstone have won their last three home games and beat Livi at McDiarmid Park in January. Their focus should be sharp on Saturday and you can imagine Wright still nipping away at his players, for Holt it's job done already.

I'd be happy to back St Johnstone at around the Evens mark on Satutrday, so to get some 13/10 makes real appeal.