Sheerin takes aim at double milestone

Nov 20 2007

PAUL Sheerin is looking for something special to mark his 150th appearance for St Johnstone.

The midfielder, who is also set to make his 105th successive appearances for the Perth club against Dunfermline, wants to get his hands on the Challenge Cup – and make a little bit of history.

The countdown is now on to Sunday’s Dens Park clash, with manager Owen Coyle – who is ignoring reports emanating from south of the border linking him with the vacant managerial post at Burnley – yesterday giving his players a run against Morton in a closed doors game.

The Perth side won 4-2 with striker Steven Milne enhancing his chances of a weekend squad return with two goals.

With reports persisting that the Lancashire side have him on their list of candidates, Coyle, who was tied up recently on an extended deal, said: “I know nothing about this and it’s business as usual as far as I’m concerned.”

Managing director Stewart Duff said: “There has been no contact from Burnley.”

Meanwhile, Sheerin is determined to claim a cup winners’ medal to compensate for the disappointment of a final loss to Alloa in his days with Inverness Caley Thistle.

The spot-kick specialist, with six in the bag this term, also fancies ending a year-long goal drought from open play. And he doesn’t buy into the theory that the trophy is second rate.

He said: “Everyone outwith the SPL started in it and teams are only happy to dismiss it if they are knocked out. We know this could be the first cup the club has ever won and it would be nice to do it for the fans. It’s certainly a game we want to win.”

The normally reliable Sheerin recalls missing a spot-kick in the shoot-out which followed a 4-4 result with unfancied Alloa in his Caley Jags days.

“It would be nice to put that right. It would be good to make my 150th appearance for Saints really memorable,” he said.

Sheerin admits Saints rode their luck early in the competition during a shoot-out lottery to defeat Raith Rovers. But they have earned the right to contest the final with wins at Ross County, on home soil against Brechin and away to Morton.

“We were fortunate to stumble through at Kirkcaldy in the first round but our other performances have been very solid,” said Sheerin, who remains one of the first names on Coyle’s teamsheet.

He will make a 105th successive appearance at Dens, with just one arrival from the bench in that remarkable sequence. The midfielder laughed: “I missed the first six games under the gaffer before he realised the error of his ways! But this is early in my fourth season here so to reach the 150 mark so quickly is pleasing.”

Saints have sold 3700 tickets and the remaining 300-plus are on sale through to Friday at the Crieff Road stadium.

Sheerin added: “It looks as if our fans will outnumber theirs. But it’s no surprise to me that our supporters are turning up in numbers. They did exactly the same for the cup games last season.

“Maybe Dunfermline fans have been spoiled by reaching the Scottish Cup final last season and competing in the UEFA Cup.

“I was surprised when the final went to Dens rather than one of the newer stadiums but I know it will add to the occasion for our fans if we could win a trophy at the home of Dundee.

“Getting goals from the spot has softened the blow of not scoring from open play for a year. I missed a sitter at Dunfermline earlier in the season so I’d be happy to take a tap-in right now!”

Boss Coyle yesterday stressed he’ll field his strongest team in a bid to clinch the cup.

Before giving striker Steven Milne a chance to get 90 minutes under his belt in the closed doors game, he said: “This is a cup final, a chance to make history for the club and it will be my strongest side that goes in at Dens.

“It is a fantastic time for the football club,. There is a chance to make a bit of history by winning the club’s first national cup competition. That is a huge incentive for us all.”

OWEN Coyle was again the star of a Masters tournament, excelling at Milton Keynes in the weekend international event covered by Sky. Playing for ultimate winners Ireland, he was top scorer with seven goals, including a final hat-trick against England.

TICKETS are still on sale at McDiarmid for the Challenge Cup final with Dunfermline. Saints expect to sell most of their 4000 allocation for Sunday’s match at Dens Park. There are just a few hundred left and the McDiarmid office remains open daily. Prices are £17 and £8 for the main stand and £15 and £8 for the stand behind the goal.

THE winner of the two free tickets for Sunday’s Challenge Cup final at Dens Park is Sharon Spence, of Stanley. The tickets will be sent out to her. Many thanks to everyone who took part.

The answer to the question – what is the maximum penalty for a person convicted of a drink/driving offence – is £5,000.