BEEN THERE SEEN IT WON IT

LIAM SMITH'S title-winning previous tells him St Johnstone shouldn't lose any sleep over two home stalemates.

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Saints’ scoring streak has stalled against Ayr United and Ross County on successive Saturdays. But the leaders remain six points clear and unbeaten after 10 games.

Fullback Smith won the second tier with St Mirren, while on loan from Hearts, and Dundee United.

He recently ran his eye over the form of Robbie Neilson’s runaway 14-point winners from 2019/20.

They lost three of their first 10 - to Alloa, Ayr and Queen of the South - and still romped to the title in the Covid-curtailed campaign.

Simo Valakari has told players and punters not to get frustrated by back-to-back blanks. And Smith knows that’s no major blip in the big picture of their promotion push.

Smith said: “Recently, I looked back at Dundee United's results the year we won the Championship.

“You have it in your mind that you were really dominant.

“There were a lot of frustrating results. They're the ones you don't remember. There were a couple of heavy defeats as well.

“And, in among it all, there were a lot of games where you have to take your point and respect it.

“This is a tough league. Ultimately, we've not lost a game. We're 10 unbeaten and have lots of good things to build on.

“It's still all positive. At times like this, it’s important to keep perspective. There are three or four of us in the squad who have been through this before.”