Rocco returns for Clyde visit

Oct 26 2007

ROCCO Quinn will slot back into his usual midfield role tomorrow against Clyde after resuming training with the squad.

The sight of the on-loan Celtic player working out with the rest of the McDiarmid players yesterday delighted Owen Coyle.

The Saints boss admitted seeing Quinn being removed from the Queen of the South clash on a stretcher was quite alarming but he’s none the worse for his ordeal.

Coyle will give late tests to Peter MacDonald and Kevin Rutkiewicz but teenager Kevin Moon is definitely sidelined with ligament trouble which prompted the weekend substitute to be replaced.

“Rocco didn’t train earlier in the week because we didn’t want to take any chances. He has shown what he can bring to the side since his arrival from Celtic and it would be nice to have continuity for the Clyde game,” said Coyle.

The Bully Wee are the only side to have beaten Saints in the league this term – with some incredible misses costing the Perth side dear at Broadwood. But revenge isn't on the manager’s mind, he just wants another three points to extend the unbeaten run to 10 games, going into clashes with Dundee and Dunfermline.

“At one stage we were having to chop and change the side for every game but things have become more settled recently,” remarked Coyle. “Clyde are the only blemish but that’s in the past. We are concentrating on the here and now. We have been playing high tempo, pass and move football and I want that to continue.”

Winger David Weatherston, who bagged a hat-trick in the 7-0 rout of Cowdenbeath reserves in midweek, looks set to retain his bench slot.

Coyle said: “It was a gamble fielding him last week after his ankle injury but he is such an exciting player and David immediately made an impact.”

Striker Peter MacDonald has sat out training with a back and hamstring problem and Rutkiewicz is also monitoring a hamstring after the reserve outing. Martin Hardie is still out.

On the plus side, Steven Milne got his first run out since knee surgery last term and snapped up a goal in the Reserve League Cup game.

Coyle said: “It is one thing training and another playing when the tackles are flying in. Savo played for most of the second half and it will be a huge psychological boost for him. We will take it easy with him but when he gets back it will be like signing a top player.”

Gretna manager Davie Irons has been laying down a marker in the media, suggesting they want frozen-out striker Kenny Deuchar back in December. But with the player keen to extend his stay at Perth, it could signal the start of a poker game between the two clubs.

Another loan recruit, Quinn, yesterday stressed it’s too early to contemplate his own future career path.

He said: “I’m focused on enjoying my football and helping St Johnstone right now. I genuinely haven't given any thought to what happens in January.

“A decision will have to be made and I’m not shying away from it. But it is still a long way off. I’ve been made to feel very welcome here and I settled in right from the start. That’s down to everyone from the boys, the gaffer, Sandy Stewart and the physio to the young lads. If you feel at ease it helps your football.

“I had no time to bed-in. I came here wanting to hit the ground running and I know Gary Irvine was the same.”

Quinn was caught on the cheek by a shoulder against Queen of the South and admitted: “I felt groggy and it was a quiet Saturday night. I feel fine now and don’t want to miss any games.”