Always a grafter and willing to put his body on the line, it must not be forgotten that Chris Kane possesses clear footballing ability.
Case in point if one was needed arrived at Tannadice last month when he produced a piece of trickery on the nearside touchline to completely bamboozle Dundee United defender Mark Connolly. It was a moment of class that rightly earned its place in the highlights skill reel of Soccer AM’s Saturday morning show the following week.
He netted in that game. He has six in total across what has been without doubt the finest season of his St Johnstone career performance-wise. And we’re not talking about a career of a couple of years.
Kane first arrived at McDiarmid Park more than a decade ago as a fresh-faced teenager still at school and one who had previously plied his trade in the game with Bonnyrigg’s youth set-up. He was actually a full-back for a while.
Head of Saints’ youth academy Alistair Stevenson remembers returning to the club after a stint with Hibs and taking charge of the under-20s side at Gayfield Park in Arbroath. Kane was star man.
“When I came back Chris would’ve been about 17 or 18,” Stevenson recalled. "I immediately took the under-20 team and he was part of that.
“I had him playing with the under-20s for the best part of a season or two seasons. He had been in with the academy for a couple of years.
“The first week I was back I remember taking them up to play Dundee United, who were top of the league, at Arbroath. We beat them and I’m sure Chris scored the winner. In fact, I think he scored two.”
Kane was prolific at youth level. Season 2013/14 was particularly fruitful, netting 21 times in 18 games for the U20s before being farmed out on loan to Dumbarton for first-team experience.
His initial spell at the Rock was a match made in heaven. So much so that then manager Ian Murray acquired the forward’s services again for the first half of the following campaign.
He returned to Saints a player who knew exactly where the back of the net was and, in the final game of 2014/15, picked the perfect time to net his first senior goal in Perth colours.
On the pitch for a matter of seconds, he powered on to a James McFadden through ball before sliding underneath Aberdeen goalkeeper Scott Brown’s body. It was a goal that will always be remembered by grateful supporters. After all, that 1-0 Pittodrie win ultimately secured another memorable adventure into European football.
Kane would go on to make 20 consecutive appearances - not all starts - between August 7 and December 23 in 2016 before another loan switch to Queen of the South at the beginning of season 2017/18.
“I remember he always used to be taking the penalties,” youth supremo Stevenson said. “He took everything and was a prolific scorer with both feet and his head.
“He had good loan experience at Queen of the South and Dumbarton. He was always getting put out on loan. When he came back he never did badly. He always just looked like he was needing regular games.
“His work-rate was phenomenal. You never put him down as having a bad game because he gave you everything.”
Now 26, Kane’s performances have been earning praise from all corners of the Perth spectrum. Manager Callum Davidson, fellow players, former players and indeed the fans.
He has never started more than 14 league games in one season at Saints but he looks on track to complete that feat this term. Already he has 10 to his name, while making nine appearances from the bench.
Managers through the years have always seen enough in Kane to place a contract down in front of him. Now you can really see why.
His hold-up and link-up play has looked sharp and there is a feeling that he is becoming quicker with every passing week. He probably tops the list of players who take the most kickings in a game, too. But Stevenson remembers that always being the case.
Kane simply picks himself up and gets on with it.
“He is an out-and-out striker,” Stevenson added. “A lot of the players are adaptable, like David Wotherspoon who can play everywhere.
“Chris is hard to play against. He gets a lot of heavy treatment but copes with it. I’m really impressed with him.
“He’s a striker who can run in behind, hold it up, jump his height and flick it on even though he’s up against a monster.
“He still wins his battles. Sometimes he’s so 100 miles an hour that he can be through one-on-one and he’ll miss.
“But he’s becoming more composed with his all-round game. I thought he had a terrific game against Livingston. He makes life easier for everyone around him.
“He never gives up. And now he’s getting a run of games, he actually looks like he is getting quicker and more confident.
“He’s getting into good areas and always looks like he’s going to get that goal. He’s in a good place just now and is a real good player.”
For a player who has spent more than 10 years with the club, there are more than a few smiles around the place to see him flourishing. Stevenson is certainly pleased for him.
“He is a great kid, he loves football and is really popular,” Stevenson said. "I think the players all enjoy it at Saints and he has come through with a lot of experienced players.
“He has been there for a long time. Everyone is pleased to see him doing well.”
