Fran Franczak continues to impress St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean and will be "pushing to start"

Sixteen-year-old midfielder Fran Franczak continues to impress manager Steven MacLean - and will now be “pushing to start”.

The youngster, who lives in Aberfeldy, came off the bench against Hibs at Easter Road last weekend for his Premiership debut.

Franczak has not long turned 16 but he could be in line for more minutes when Livingston travel to Perth on Saturday afternoon.

“Fran was in my thoughts to start last weekend,” MacLean said.

“He is doing well. He was playing in a game on Tuesday night. I was watching him in that.

“He now has minutes and will be pushing every day to get a start. Whether we do it or not, we’ll see where he is.

“Physically, Fran is fine and it will just be about getting him in at the right time. He is just a great kid, comes in and works hard every day. He is first in and probably last away.

“He won’t get too up or down. It’s about trying to keep him protected – and keep the agents away from him!”

Franczak, as is the case with all players introduced to the first team, must bide his time before he regularly gets a spot in the main dressing room during the week.

“You need to play a few games to get in the big boy dressing room,” MacLean smiled.

“I remember at Hearts, Craig Levein had a certain number of games before they could get in the first-team dressing room at the training ground. Things like that for younger boys are good.

“At Rangers we had to be clean shaven every day as a young player. They always said you could have a beard when you are in the first team!

“We had to wear a shirt and tie to start with.

“All of the younger boys want to be in the first-team dressing room and that is what they need to aspire to get to.”

Saints, bottom of the table, are already desperate to claw back points