After the Dundee game, my Dee-supporting friend texted me, saying: 'Better team won - we just don't view it as a derby, which is a negative for these games, as you boys are always up for it so much more.'

A bit tongue-in-cheek, a bit bitter. Either way, it got me thinking...

In Scottish football, derby days carry an undeniable electric edge. Yet while neighbouring clubs like Dundee often dismiss their Tayside encounters with St Johnstone, Saints cannot afford to let others dictate their competitive tempo.

For St Johnstone, success requires adopting a simple philosophy: treat every game like a derby.

When a team approaches each fixture with the urgency, tactical discipline and relentless effort usually reserved for local rivalries, standard league encounters are transformed into high-stakes battles.

Rivals like Dundee may downplay the 'derby' status of a match, but that mental posture can quickly breed complacency. St Johnstone turned that dynamic into a clear advantage.

Treating every fixture like a cup final or a derby eliminates passive displays. For a club pushing to establish momentum in the Scottish Premiership, unwavering focus is essential.

St Johnstone prove that while rivals may choose when to care, true consistency comes from bringing derby-level fight to every kick-off.