First team action a lure to land Rocco

Oct 23 2007

GARY Irvine is hoping long-time friend Rocco Quinn will pledge his long-term future to St Johnstone.

The roving full-back was relieved to see the on-loan Celtic midfielder emerge none the worse for his weekend ordeal, with Quinn removed on a stretcher after an alarming head knock.

And now Irvine is eager to see Quinn follow in his footsteps from Parkhead to McDiarmid when his loan deal expires at the turn of the year.

The attacking midfielder, a Scotland U21 international, is under contract to the Glasgow club until the summer but Irvine is hopeful manager Owen Coyle can sweet-talk his long-time pal into extending his stay.

“I’d love Rocco to stay and I’m optimistic that will happen. But I suppose it depends on Celtic. I was in a similar situation myself when I had to think of my long-term future. I was dying to get out and experience first team football. And I’ve certainly got no regrets about coming to Perth,” said Irvine.

“It would be great if Rocco decides to progress his career with Saints. Like me, he knows there’s no comparison between first team and reserve football, and hanging around hoping for a place on the Celtic bench.

“I have known Rocco for years and rate him highly. But the experience he has got here has already improved him as a footballer. It’s been a lot better for him than kicking his heels at Celtic Park.

“The gaffer, Owen Coyle, will be a big factor. He is one of the reasons I came here from Celtic and it was the same with Rocco. The boss could have a big say in this.

“Rocco will be 21 soon and he’s at the stage when he has to think seriously about the way ahead. I know what he is going through. If he was going to stay at Celtic the U21 ruling makes it even harder to even get a place on the bench. That’s the sort of thing he will have to weigh-up in making a decision.”

Quinn was decked when a shoulder clipped him after he’d set up Andy Jackson for the Perth side’s second against Queen of the South. There was a worrying five-minute wait before he was carried off on a stretcher.

Irvine admitted: “It was a real worry, especially when we saw them calling for a neck brace. So it was a huge relief to see Rocco sitting up in the dressing room rather than being off to hospital.”

Coyle stressed the midfielder will be ready to face Clyde as Saints bid to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games.

Like Kenny Deuchar, he wants to make the loan deal permanent, noting: “We tried to sign Rocco on a permanent basis in the summer but were running out of time. He is a terrific footballer but is still learning.

“I’m always interested in good footballers and Rocco is certainly in that bracket. He is enjoying his football here and there’s a lot to be said for being happy at your work.

“It’s hard for a youngster at a big club like Rangers or Celtic, especially after you’ve gone out and sampled first team football. You have a craving to play. Nowadays, with Champions League football on the agenda, you have to be extra special as a youngster. They are under pressure to win week in week out.

“Gone are the days when you could be half-decent. Now you have to be a Barry Ferguson type. That’s the calibre they want at the Old Firm. Rocco knows there are parts of his game to improve and he has been very receptive.”

SAINTS face Cowdenbeath Reserves at McDiarmid tonight with a 7.30pm start. It’s too early for Steven Milne but the striker is expected to get a reserve game within the next few weeks after resuming training. Martin Hardie is also working his way back from injury.