Saints will be champs: Coyle

Nov 30 2007

OWEN Coyle yesterday insisted his successor can lead Saints back to the SPL.

The departed manager believes chairman Geoff Brown has made the right call by elevating Derek McInnes to the managerial office.

The new Burnley boss – who followed-up a scoreless draw with a 2-1 away win over Championship pacesetters Watford in midweek, said: “The title is still up for grabs. If Saints win their game in hand the deficit is only nine points. Last season we were 15 behind Gretna in January and everyone knows how close we came.

“The club has Martin Hardie, Steven Milne and Kevin James coming back and those are arguably three of the best players in the whole division. I believe Derek is taking charge of the best squad in the league. He will show the characteristic desire to take things on from here and add his own flavour. And I have no doubt St Johnstone will be champions come the end of the season.”

They’re close pals and Coyle tempted McInnes away from Millwall and a healthy