St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas has backed new striker Craig Beattie to bag the goals and provide the firepower that his side has been lacking so far this season.

The former Celtic and Hearts forward joined the Perth club last week after a proposed move to Rangers fell through and could be handed an early chance to impress with Gregory Tade and Rowan Vine both suspended for Saturday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League game against Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park.

Lomas has yet to decide whether Beattie is fit enough to be pitched in but is confident his new recruit will make an impact this season.

The Saints boss said: "He's been at decent clubs so he is obviously a decent player.

"He's got good experience, he can lead the line.

"We are delighted to get him. We hope he plays 30-odd games for us and scores 15 goals - we would be absolutely delighted with that.

"We are happy to get somebody of the calibre of Craig, there's no doubt about it.

"He showed in his short spell at Hearts that he can be an effective player so we are looking forward to seeing him play and getting him fit.

"It's not ideal when you bring a player in late, it's best to have a pre-season.

"But we probably wouldn't have got him at the start of pre-season so we have to take that into consideration.

"He maybe needs match practice so we will have a look at it and decide tomorrow."

Aberdeen and St Johnstone both head into the clash with a single point from their opening two SPL matches and Lomas knows his side must start punishing teams in front of goal.

He said: "Aberdeen's two performances probably merited more than one point and we would say the same.

"In our case, it's down to not being clinical enough in front of goal.

"We are looking forward to the game. I think Aberdeen will be far better opposition this year.

"They've brought in a lot more attacking qualities so I expect them to finish higher than they did last season. It will be a decent game."

Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson feels centre-back partner Andrew Considine has developed into a top-class player.

Anderson has been reunited with Considine after returning from a spell in England with the likes of Sunderland and Derby.

Considine was arguably Aberdeen's best player last season and Anderson feels they can form a solid defence this term.

Speaking ahead of Aberdeen's clash at St Johnstone, Anderson told his club's official website: "It has been easy forming a partnership with Andrew again. He has developed into a really, really good player since I have been away.

"I have noticed a difference in his stature as much as anything. He has developed into one of the main players in my opinion.

"He is one of the first names on the teamsheet and the opening games of the season have proved that. He has started where he left off last season."

Manager Craig Brown has also brought in former Scotland left-back Gary Naysmith and secured the return of Mark Reynolds on loan from Sheffield Wednesday.

Anderson said: "Gary Naysmith has brought a wealth of experience. There are not many players who will get by him.

"He has played for some big clubs and has played in some big games. He ticks all the attributes that you would want, he is a very good professional.

"It is very easy to label that to certain people but it is certainly true in his case.

"He keeps his head down and works away, he is not flashy, he is just a good honest pro who knows how to play in his position."

St Johnstone squad: Mannus, Mackay, McCracken, Wright, C Davidson, Millar, M Davidson, Cregg, Craig, Hasselbaink, Tuffey, Adams, Miller, May, Caddis, Moffat, Kane, Beattie

Aberdeen squad: Langfield, Brown, Foster, Considine, Anderson, Naysmith, Robertson, Jack, Hughes, Rae, Milsom, Vernon, Fallon, Hayes, Osbourne, Megginson, Magennis, Fraser, Paton, Pawlett, Reynolds.