Big chance for Moon to shine

Mar 3 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

KEVIN MOON is ready to assume the midfield playmaker role as record-breaking Saints press for promotion.

With former Chelsea star Jody Morris sidelined for two months, the home-grown youngster is eager to step up to the plate.

Moon has been plagued by injury but returned to the ranks to post a poised performance in a frantic weekend Tayside derby, which saw the team post an all-time club record of 20 games undefeated.

Yesterday, he pledged to fill the boots of Morris in the run-in.

“It’s unfortunate I’m getting my chance because of Jody’s injury. But as a Saints fan I was delighted to be involved in another derby with Dundee. It was just disappointing we didn’t go on to win it but a draw wasn’t the worst result. It’s not a disaster.

“We beat the club record but it felt like a defeat in the dressing room. That’s shows the standard that the manager expects from us. He is disappointed when we don’t live up to expectations.

“We should be winning homes games. It’s Ross County this weekend and hopefully we’ll get back to winning ways.”

Manager Derek McInnes admires Moon’s ability and he’d have featured more often but for injury.

“Hopefully all that’s behind me now and I can concentrate on the rest of the season and kick-on,” said Moon.

“We have achieved the record but it was other people rather than the players who were talking it up. We just concentrate on each game.”

It added up to a better point for the Perth side than third placed Dundee but McInnes admitted: “On reflection it looked like two teams who were desperate not to lose. We tried to be positive with our personnel and formation but the game never really settled down.

“Neither team showed enough in the final third and I’m disappointed we didn’t force the pace.

“We have achieved 40 points in this run, accumulating an average of two points per match. Do that and you will be successful in this league.

“The dressing room was a bit flat after the match. There was a great atmosphere created by both sets of supporters. We were desperate to give our fans the win they craved.

“The record has never been the be all and end all. We have achieved it but wanted to do it with a victory. That’s why there is a tinge of disappointment.

“But we have another home game coming up against Ross County and there’s plenty to be pleased about.”

Rival camps have already begun the media mind games and McInnes stressed: “Any team that is top of a league has to deal with all that so it shouldn’t become an issue. It’s all about what we do.

“We have been single-minded in our approach and it’s got us into a position of strength. There is still a lot of work to do and no one is happy to pick up points here and there but there’s plenty cause for optimism.

“It’s important the people inside the club and the fans stay focused and determined.”

SAINTS reserves faced Arbroath last night at Gayfield and injury troubled Kevin James was marked down for a match. Graham Gartland, Peter MacDonald, Steven Anderson, Gavin Swankie and Graham Barrett were also included in the pool.