91Èȱ¬

St Johnstone defender Tam Scobbie has targeted more trophies after signing a two-year extension at the Perth club.

The 27-year-old missed last season's Scottish Cup triumph through injury but hopes for more silverware now they have secured another top-six finish.

"It will give us a boost to try to kick on and go for fourth," Scobbie told St Johnstone's website.

"Hopefully we can push forward again, keep making the top six and keep pushing for trophies."

Scobbie thought that Saints had again defied the odds in the Scottish Premiership under manager Tommy Wright, especially after selling their top scorer to Sheffield Wednesday in the summer.

"Other clubs have bigger budgets and, with the players they have signed and with us losing Stevie May in the summer, everybody thought we would struggle to achieve mid-table never mind the top six," he said.

"But we've showed again the kind of side we are with a lot of character and desire.

"With us clinching a top-six place on Saturday, it's another step in the direction we want to go in.

"I think we've done that four years on the bounce now."

Scobbie, a former Scotland Under-21 international, joined St Johnstone after leaving Falkirk in 2012.

An injury that sidelined him from late August until January has restricted him to 19 appearances this season, but he has done enough to win an extended stay.

"It's good to get it sorted," said Scobbie. "We have been speaking about it for a number of months now and I'm just glad to get it signed and get a bit of security for the next couple of years."

Wright was pleased to secure another of his squad for next season.

"I am really delighted that Tom's signed because he is part of a defence that's done particularly well this year," he said.

"He has been hampered by injuries at the start of this season - and last season as well - but he's someone who's done well.

"That's another piece of the jigsaw for building towards next season."