ST JOHNSTONE wide man Michael O'Halloran admits he would be thrilled with a Scotland call-up after being touted for international recognition.

McDiarmid Park manager Tommy Wright recently predicted O'Halloran would be in Gordon Strachan's plans soon following an excellent start to the season.

O'Halloran's pace has proved a major weapon in the Perth side's armoury and he is ready to start against Inverness after ridding himself of a hamstring injury and foot knock.

He said: "I picked up a few under-21 caps when I was at Bolton and it is nice to hear the manager here talking about me in potential Scotland terms. It shows he has confidence in me.

"You have to aim high. The national team were really unlucky pushing for the Euros and I'd like to think one day I can get into the full Scotland squad."

But his immediate priority is helping Saints back to winning ways after a 2-1 loss to Partick Thistle.

"I don't think we did ourselves justice up in Inverness last year," the 24-year-old said. "We put in two disappointing performances. We want to put that right and bounce back from the Partick defeat."

After undergoing a scan, O'Halloran spent the first 45 minutes on the bench before being pitched in last weekend.

"I had a hamstring injury and then the foot was troubling me," he said. "The scan was more precautionary.

"I trained on the Friday before the Partick Thistle game. I wasn't sure if I was going to be involved at all so I was happy to come on from the bench.

"I am enjoying myself and I am ready to go again. I have been playing consistently on the back of a good season last year.

"And putting the Partick Thistle defeat aside, the team has been on a good run of form."

Saints have not won any of their last six games at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium.

Manager Wright said: "We are looking for three points to close the gap with teams above us.

"We want to get back to winning ways at a place which hasn't been a happy hunting ground for us in recent years.

"Inverness are always dangerous opponents. They are a good football side and patient in their build-up play.

"We will have to make sure we are disciplined at times when they have the ball."

Meanwhile, Inverness defender Danny Devine believes Caley Thistle can overcome adversity and push themselves up the table.

Caley Thistle have five first-team players out long term and midfielder Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo (Achilles) will miss the visit of St Johnstone, while Ross Draper (ankle) is very doubtful.

Inverness have faced a number of other injury problems this season, but the Highland side are only three points off the top six.

"It's been well documented with the injuries we have had but the lads have just had to get on with it," Devine said. "The lads and the coaching staff have just had to pull together.

"It's been the same boys every week and they have put in a brilliant shift. A couple of wins and we are right up the table.

"It's credit to the boys, with the amount of setbacks we have had we are still right in amongst it and starting on Saturday hopefully we can get on a run of good results."

Inverness were on a six-match unbeaten run before the international break, but lost 2-0 at Kilmarnock last weekend after failing to turn possession into clear chances.

Devine said: "The lads were beating themselves up after the game and we have been working hard all week to try to put it right against St Johnstone this weekend.

"Hopefully we can keep the ball but try to get forward with a bit of purpose. We will try to play our brand of football but with a bit more cutting edge and more spirit and fight than we had at Kilmarnock last weekend."