Grainger hails battling Saints

24 September 2011 13:42
Hearts full-back Danny Grainger is not surprised former club St Johnstone have started the season so well despite a number of summer changes.[LNB] Saints lost Grainger and Michael Duberry from their regular back four but have continued their impressive defensive record from last season, having yet to concede a goal away from home.[LNB]The Perth side only scored 23 goals in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League last term, less than relegated Hamilton, but the arrival of Francisco Sandaza has given them a lift with the Spaniard already on six goals.[LNB]So Grainger expects a tough afternoon when Hearts visit McDiarmid Park tomorrow.[LNB]"You don't get any easy games in the SPL," Grainger said.[LNB]"Going back to McDiarmid will be difficult, they seem to have solved their goalscoring problems with Sandaza and Cillian Sheridan.[LNB]"There were players there when I was there who were more than capable of filling in when the likes of me and Doobs (Duberry) were going to leave.[LNB]"You have Dave Mackay, Alan Maybury and Steven Anderson who were there last year, who played a massive part when we went on a good run."[LNB]Grainger added: "I still speak to quite a lot of them, I'm very close to the likes of Liam Craig, Murray Davidson and Graham Gartland so it's going to be strange going back there."[LNB]The former Gretna and Dundee United left-back has no regrets about leaving despite the man who signed him, Jim Jefferies, being replaced by Paulo Sergio early in the season.[LNB]Grainger said: "I'm really enjoying it, I'm enjoying the banter in the dressing room and loving the football.[LNB]"Now we are all starting to get used to the new manager and it's starting to show on the pitch."[LNB]Hearts have yet to win away from home but Grainger is confident that will change soon.[LNB]"If you look at the last two away games, Kilmarnock and Inverness, I don't think many teams will go there and get a great result.[LNB]"We got two draws so hopefully we can continue building on our home form and pick up a few wins on the road."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk