Millar back to face Caley Jags

Apr 22 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

CHRIS Millar admits he got his timing all wrong after squirming through the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat from Motherwell, writes Gordon Bannerman

The St Johnstone midfielder, rated his number one signing by manager Derek McInnes, is among the first names on the Perth team sheet.

But a minor groin injury sustained in a league defeat from Celtic days before prevented him taking his usual place in the Saints line-up for Hampden.

And, like more than 3500 Perth fans, he had to endure a distressing afternoon at the National Stadium as Millar watched the historic cup final dreams evaporate.

Yesterday, with a return to the fray against Inverness Caley Thistle on the cards for Easter Monday, he was still coming to terms with the disappointment clouding McDiarmid Park.

“I knew by last Friday that I wouldn’t make it. The game was a case of coming 24 or 48 hours too soon for me,” he said.

“The gaffer was of the mindset that if I wasn’t ready by the Friday I wouldn’t be ready for the game.

“I couldn’t take the risk of pulling up after 10 minutes in such a big game. I had to be fit and bang at it so I had to be honest and put my hand up. It was so disappointing.

“There’s part of you that thinks you could do it. I was trying to push it and even on the Saturday morning I’d have taken a fitness test. But I had to admit defeat and I wouldn’t have been doing myself, and most importantly the team, any justice by playing. It wouldn’t have been fair. I wasn’t right and I had to be strong enough to admit that.

“Watching the game was really hard. You can’t do anything to help sitting in the stand.

“We looked in great shape before the game and started it well – so it was a massive disappointment to lose bad goals. Unfortunately mistakes happen. It was a huge frustration to everyone connected with the club.

“Before the game I tried to be a part of it and I was in the dressing room speaking to the boys, but after it there was nothing I could say to them. All the celebrations we were hoping for had been scuppered.

“But we’ve had a few days to get over it and we can’t afford to dwell on the match and let it affect us. It’s time to move on.

“I’m looking forward to playing again and hopefully that will be on Monday against Caley Thistle. We want to go out on a high this season. Seventh place is there for us and that’s what we’ve got to try and push for now.”

Manager McInnes, who will appeal a four game touchline ban on May 10 with reports confirming he left the technical area against Dundee United in a bid to calm his players, will be fielding a makeshift defensive unit for Monday night’s visit from Inverness, with Steven Anderson and Michael Duberry facing two match bans. Irish defender Graham Gartland is doubtful with a groin problem, restricting his options further.

His frontline selection will be interesting, as Saints bid to end a near 1000-minute wait for an SPL goal dating back to a Stevie May double against Hamilton 11 weeks ago.

The Perth boss, who is already working on a new-look squad for next season and being linked with an array of potential recruits, said: “It will be a chance for one or two players that haven’t played as much as they’d have liked.

“The players might still be feeling sorry for themselves and wanting to re-start for next season. If I am honest there is an element of that about myself. But we can’t afford to wallow in self-pity or just be looking forward to starting again next season.

“It is important the supporters see us working hard for results in the next few weeks. They have to see application and effort from us. We are under no illusions. It is important to try and finish the season on a positive note. That’s what we are trying to do here.

“We want professional performances. Maybe there will be one or two youngsters getting games and others trying to make up my mind or next season. But we are focused and working extremely hard in training. We aren’t putting away the tools.

“I can totally understand that the players aren’t feeling great about themselves. There is a huge feeling of disappointment after Saturday. But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have a job to do and we have to get on with it.

“We have to show an appetite and the right approach in our remaining games.We want results as well as performances. We need to recapture the feeling of last season. We need to rekindle that enthusiasm and positivity going into next season. To do that we need new signings and we can get a few that the supporters can look forward to seeing in action.”

SAINTS have slashed prices for the Easter Monday home game with Inverness. Admission is just £10 and £5 for kids. The game kicks-off at 7.45pm. Season ticket holders won’t be disadvantaged, with this reflected in season books for next season.