Young guns Jackson and Irvine add an explosive mix

Oct 23 2007

THE last time Perth fans were pondering how long they could retain a home-grown striker, Keigan Parker was working his way through SPL defences and a succession of dodgy haircuts.

The latest boy wonder is 19-year-old Andy Jackson and manager Owen Coyle has astutely secured his services on a two year contract.

The real test of Jackson's capabilities and character will come when the goals dry up but for now that outlandish concept simply doesn't register. And why should it, with six games yielding seven goals adding up to a run unmatched at McDiarmid and equalling Sammy Johnston's productivity in the late eighties at Muirton Park.

With 15 goals claimed by a Denny youngster who has pinned his flag to the Republic of Ireland mast and frontline partner Kenny Deuchar, is it any wonder that Jackson is delighted to hear his mentor making positive sounds about lingering in Perth beyond the early December date on his loan contract from Gretna?

But Jackson isn't the only precocious youth making an impact on the First Division stage this term.

When Coyle moved into McDiarmid he turned to trusted professionals he'd worked and played with to form the core of his squad. But the accent was on youth over the summer and after nine games unbeaten the apprentices have seized the opportunity to stake their claims.

It's not just Jackson who is catching the eye, although his scoring record is attracting the media spotlight.

Right-back Gary Irvine, whose style is reminiscent of a young Gary Neville, is a class act and at a time when that's proving a problem position at Celtic Park, Coyle's timing was impeccable in luring him to McDiarmid. Steven Anderson is fast maturing into the real deal and a persuasive Coyle's next challenge is convincing on-loan Celt Rocco Quinn and Deuchar to linger. That might require cash and/or a baseball bat.

Of the weekend starting line-up, just five had featured in the first game of the season at Palmerston. And this was a formality in comparison with the dramatic comeback required to secure a point in Dumfries.

Deuchar got his latest goal early but should have had three or four more, while Jackson's 66th minute header could have been doubled up but for smashing an upright before the end.

Queens were quibbling over Deuchar's 10th minute opener claiming McDonald had been impeded going for Irvine's hanging cross. But the apprehensive keeper seemed to be distracted by the prospect of being the meat in a sandwich involving the striker and the upright.

Deuchar had already missed a snip, blazing a deflected Derek McInnes shot over the bar, and later he steered a diving header over a gaping target. Throw in a couple of decent shots and a backheel scrambled wide for a corner and it was bizarre to see just one goal separating the teams at the interval.

There was a 15-minute lull after the break before Deuchar and Paul Sheerin tested McDonald with boot and head.

Then Quinn's athleticism carried him all the way to the byline for a measured cross which took out the keeper, allowing an alert Jackson to nod into the net. The midfielder's contribution was underlined by worried looks as he was eased onto a stretcher, after a five minute delay and calls for a neck brace.

Kevin Moon arrived and exited with an injury of his own but the Doonhamers were relieved to escape with a two goal deficit on a day when their problems were overshadowed by troubles at Dunfermline, where front runners Hamilton piled up five goals.

St Johnstone: Main, Irvine, Stanic, McInnes, McManus, Anderson, Quinn (Moon 74) (MacDonald 87), Sheerin, Deuchar, Jackson and McLaren (Weatherston 80). Subs not used: Stewart and Cuthbert.

Queen of the South: McDonald, Paton, McQuilken, Scally, Nixon, Thomson, Robertson (Dobbie 63), O'Neil (Burns 77), O'Connor (Bingham 83), Gilmour and Harris. Subs not used: Aitken and Grindlay.

Referee: Crawford Allan.