Liam Craig has been around the Perthshire outfit for many years, so he knows talent at the club when he see’s it. That’s what he thinks teammate Jason Kerr has, citing his football knowledge as a massive part of his game.
Kerr has been a rock at the back for the Saints this season, starting all 20 of St Johnstone’s league games. With great physical and technical abilities, Kerr can be regarded as one of Scotland’s most promising centre-backs.
Craig has watched Kerr’s potential grow over the years, and has seen it more in his new deep lying midfield role.
“I have noticed it playing close to him lately,” Craig told the Courier.
“Jason has excellent positional sense and knows where to be on the pitch. You don’t see him making too many last-ditch tackles and that’s because he has the ability know what attackers are likely to do.
“That’s a huge asset for a defender because he senses danger and that saves him having to do the last-ditch stuff. Having a football brain as well as having the pace and athleticism means he can go as far as he likes.”
Spells away from Perth were the making of Kerr
Whilst he’s a mainstay now, this wasn’t all the case for the 21-year old defender. He’s spent time out on loan at East Fife, then Queen of the South. It seems like these periods at different clubs have helped Kerr.
The centre-half hasn’t been shown an easy ride at McDiarmid Park, which makes his place in Tommy Wright’s side even more special.
At East Fife he was able to build up his physicality, and at Queens he was able to work on his technical ability. Whilst both clubs play at different levels, they have had an equally positive impact on Kerr’s development.
It’s hard to see Kerr dropping out of the side anytime soon. He’s now a reliable option, who’s proved to Wright he is worthy of a place in the starting XI. His manager will now be hoping the vultures don’t begin to circle for his young defender.