Experienced defender Ryan McGowan never lost faith in ability to help St Johnstone's cause

Experienced operator Ryan McGowan insists he never lost faith in his ability to help the St Johnstone cause.

The versatile defender fell out of favour under previous manager Steven MacLean and was even made available to find a new club at the beginning of the campaign.

But he has now played the full 90 minutes in Saints’ last five matches - the first when Alex Cleland was caretaker and the next four for new boss Craig Levein.

“Macca [Steven MacLean] wanted to go in a different direction and didn’t see me fitting into that,” McGowan told the PA.

“That was his choice and I needed to make sure I was professional, did all the right things and was a good team-mate for the boys.

“I’ve been around the block enough to know that football changes quite quickly.

“If I’d chucked it off or went in a huff then, if I did get the opportunity, I wouldn’t have been able to take it.

“I trained hard and made sure, if I was needed, I would be ready. I think I have shown since I’ve come in that it looks like I didn’t have a three-month break from football.

“I really like it here, enjoy playing here and have a lot of friends at the club.

“I didn’t want to make a rash decision so I kept my head down, kept working hard and then would reassess in January if things hadn’t changed.

“Things have changed and I’ve been playing in the last couple of games.”

It goes without saying that McGowan has loved being back on the pitch.

“It was Alex [Cleland] who chucked me back in and the new gaffer has played me ever since,” McGowan continued.

“It has been good to be playing because I feel I can help the team. Hopefully that continues.

“The style of play and how the manager wants us to defend suits us. I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”

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