Savo ready for more cup glory

Nov 13 2007

TWELVE months ago Steven Milne was in the form of his life, with an Ibrox cup double securing one of St Johnstone’s most memorable results.

But his season ground to a standstill as knee problems flared-up again and he hasn’t started a match since January.

But yesterday Milne told PA Sport he’s now ready to make his long-awaited comeback – and it might even be in the Challenge Cup final clash with Dunfermline at Dens Park.

The striker, who has been given the green light to return by a London-based surgeon who once got England international Paul Gascoigne’s wrecked knee shipshape, is eager to begin contributing to the Perth cause again.

He’s hoping to get more game time today in a closed doors match, and Milne said: “I am available for the final and it would be brilliant to be involved. You could see it as a reward for all the hard work I have put in to get to this stage. But on the other hand I can see why the manager might want to stick with the guys who have taken the club to the final.

“I have been training for the past four weeks and it’s now just match fitness that I require. If I was wanted it would be great to make the bench against Dunfermline.

“Touch wood, everything has been going well with my recuperation from the last operation. The knee feels the best it has done for years, probably since I was at Dundee.

“It wasn’t feeling right after previous surgery at Plymouth and Perth but the surgeon seems to be very happy with the way this has gone.

“My last start for Saints was in the cup against Ayr so I’ve been a long time out. It is amazing to think it was a year ago I scored the goals at Ibrox to knock Rangers out of the CIS Cup. That was one of the highlights of my career.

“It has been more frustrating watching games in recent weeks than before. When I was laid-up I was resigned to being a spectator. But now I know I’m just about there.”

Milne’s imminent return is a major plus for Coyle, who is also hoping last term’s player of the year Martin Hardie gets the green light to resume training later this week.

Saints chiselled a point back on Dundee at the weekend but leaders Hamilton have now opened up a 12-point gap.

Undaunted, Coyle said: “We were 15 behind Gretna with fewer games left last season so we just have to focus on winning games. No one wants to be behind but we have the players here to close the gap and we should have Milne, Hardie and hopefully Kevin James all back by the turn of the year.

“The league goes on the back burner as we prepare for the Challenge Cup final in a fortnight. There is a prize to be won and we want to bring the cup to Perth.”

Saints again failed to score against the Pars and Coyle wants midfielders and defenders weighing in with goals. Having watched video footage he is convinced two stonewall penalties were denied the home team at the weekend.