Kilmarnock midfielder Gary Dicker thinks St Johnstone set the top-six benchmark
Kilmarnock midfielder Gary Dicker believes Saturday's opponents St Johnstone are the benchmark for all Premiership clubs chasing a top-six spot.
Kilmarnock midfielder Gary Dicker believes Saturday's opponents St Johnstone are the benchmark for all Premiership clubs chasing a top-six spot.
The Saints have finished in the top-half of the table in the last five seasons and are once again in good health as a battle ensues at the bottom to avoid relegation.
Tommy Wright's side are in fifth place, one point behind Hearts, with Aberdeen and Rangers battling for second place and runaway leaders Celtic on their way to their sixth successive title.
Killie are sitting in eighth place but could find themselves in sixth if results go their way.
The 30-year-old former Carlisle player said: "I think St Johnstone are the benchmarks for the rest of the teams.
"Obviously you have your top four sides and you have to give St Johnstone credit, they are up there for a reason.
"They get results. They know how to win games of football, whether it is 1-0 or 2-0, they get the job done and you have to give them a lot of credit for it.
"We are all similar, but they have got that bit of consistency in their play and it shows where they finish every year in the league.
"But we got a good (1-0) result up there (in October) that kicked us off on a good run and we will be looking to go on a run again."
Killie will have interim-boss Lee McCulloch in charge again after taking the team for last week's defeat against Aberdeen following Lee Clark's departure to Bury.
Dicker, who joined the Rugby Park club in February last year is experienced enough to know that the show goes on.
The Irishman said: "It was a bit of a shock but it was nice that a manager was leaving for the right reasons, usually in football it is for the wrong reasons.
"Not much has changed, football goes on and life goes on.
"I think I have only seen managers go twice which is not bad in a career.
"I am sure that lot of the players that have been here over the years have had a lot of managers.
"I think Rory McKenzie has had about seven managers so far and he is only 23 so I am sure they are more used to it than me.
"You get over it pretty quick."