McInnes rates St Johnstone six best goals

Jun 9 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

DEREK McInnes has selected his “Six of the Best” strikes which illuminated the championship winning campaign.

The Perth side scored 55 goals en route to the title.

And McInnes yesterday sat down with PA Sport to flag-up his favourites.

Top of the potshots was Stevie Milne’s first goal against Morton in the McDiarmid match which clinched promotion.

McInnes said: “Savo scored twice that day but his first was magnificent. It involved a series of passes and culminated in a stepover and a wonderful curling finish from Savo.

“He still had a lot to do from 16 yards and it was an awkward height for him. But the strike lifted over the keeper was perfect. It summed-up the sort of football I want my team to play. Because of the magnitude of the game that is my number one.”

Reflecting on some stunning strikes over the course of the campaign, McInnes said: “The fans were treated to some very special goals along the way.”

Liam Craig’s lavish 35-yarder away to Dunfermline in early November was in the top bracket. It merited the Irn-Bru SPL goal of the season accolade.

McInnes said: “That 2-1 win took us top of the league and we stayed there through to the end. It was an amazing strike from Liam, finding the top corner.”

McInnes returned to East End for another of his favourites.

Gary Irvine scored his first goal in senior football in a 3-1 away win in April.

His timing was perfect as Saints turned on the style and the full-back rounded off a surging run with a turn and lob curled into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Derek Holmes got a mention for a last-gasp equaliser away to Queen of the South.

McInnes said: “Time was running out but Homer kept calm and passed the ball into the net from 18 yards. That 3-3 result kept our unbeaten run going.”

Paul Sheerin showed why admirers tag him The Wizard with a sublime strike against Dundee at Perth.

“He showed typical control on the edge of the area in a tight situation before sweeping a shot into the top corner. We see that every day in training from Peanut but a derby goal is always extra-special.”

Finally, top scorer Milne warranted another namecheck for a goal away to Livingston.

“The ball was played up the channel and laid off by Homer into Savo’s path. He caught it first time on the volley and that was another magnificent goal.”