Andy Fisher only viewing his move to struggling St Johnstone in a positive light

Andy Fisher is only viewing his move to St Johnstone in a positive light despite others turning up their nose at the prospect of joining the relegation-threatened club.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper checked in at McDiarmid Park this week after agreeing a loan deal from Swansea until the end of the season at a time when Saints are eight points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership.

Manager Simo Valakari said on Thursday that his side’s grim predicament has made it difficult to attract players this month, but Fisher insisted he had no doubts about making the move north and is intent on embracing what appears to be a formidable task.

“I like the challenge of the situation we are in,” he said. “I want to help the team out and that’s what I’m here to do.

“I like the pressure of winning games. I think that’s something that will make everyone here grow.

“I’m hoping to play a big part. It will be a challenge but I’m hoping I can come here and we can start picking up a few points.”

With Saints keepers Josh Rae and Ross Sinclair having failed to convince in the first half of the season, the prospect of playing regularly again was also a carrot for Fisher, who has made only two first-team appearances for the Swans in the past 18 months.

The keeper was a starter under Russell Martin at both MK Dons and then Swansea, but fell out of favour at his parent club after the former Scotland international left Wales to take charge at Southampton in 2023.

“I need games and St Johnstone showed real interest and showed that they really wanted me to come and help them out,” Fisher said. “So I thought it’s a real good opportunity for me and a real good challenge, where I think I can help the team out.

“I got injured in pre-season and I had an operation but I feel I’m back up to speed now, so hopefully I can come here and show that I’m still good.

“This is a real good opportunity to come and get games and show my parent club that I can still do it, have a few good games and go back there and play a few games there as well.”

Asked if he expected to make his debut away to Rangers on Sunday, Fisher said: “I hope so, but I’ve got to come in and earn my spot. There are no givens. Obviously I’ve come in and with Josh and two other boys (Sinclair and Craig Hepburn), I’ve got to fight it out for my spot, so it’s up to the gaffer.”