A win tonight will give Saints a six-point lead at the head of the Irn-Bru First Division and Kevin admitted, “Thistle came with the intention of not being beaten and we didn’t do enough to defeat them. Tonight gives us the chance to correct that wrong.

“We’ll have no better chance of going up and this is the time for us to stand up and be counted.

“We’re again without Andy Jackson, Jody Morris and Peter MacDonald and, at times this season, have had Collin Samuel, Martin Hardie and Kevin James missing, too, players who would walk into any other team in the league.

“However, we’re still top and have the opportunity to stretch that points advantage.

“We have a good, big squad and have cover to cope with injuries so really have no excuses.

“We have the team here to win the First Division and the winning of the league is in our hands.

“We’re confident of winning every game. Every one of us is looking forward to the next match and we can’t wait for tonight’s kick-off.”

Saints are set to go into the game without striker Steven Milne, who is struggling to shake off a knee injury.

Dunfermline have fitness doubts surrounding Scott Wilson, Scott Muirhead and Jamie Mole and, although their promotion chance is slim, they are looking for six points from tonight’s match and Saturday’s repeat against Saints at East End Park.

They’ve already defeated the Perth side at McDiarmid this term and manager Jim McIntyre is hoping they “can continue our decent away record this season.”

It’s 13 years since St Johnstone beat Dunfermline in the league at McDiarmid, with the Pars chalking up four league wins since then as well as seven draws, although the Perth men have recorded a CIS Cup win during that period.