Millar time not until summer as Morton close window on deal

Feb 1 2008

WITH Dyron Daal and Willie McLaren shipped out of McDiarmid, manager Derek McInnes was trying to add to his squad before the midnight transfer deadline.

But as the clock ticked down, he was frustrated in moves to add an unnamed attacker to his squad and secure pre-contract midfielder Chris Millar from Morton.

He had been hoping to replace departed Dutchman Daal, who left for Spanish minnows Fuenlabrada, based in Madrid.

And with Morton closing in on Gretna midfielder Allan Jenkins, Saints were hopeful a deal could finally be struck to bring Millar on board.

But McInnes has had to admit defeat, despite Saints meeting the Greenock club’s demands for an early release fee.

Earlier this week Morton went public, saying they now wanted £10,000 to let Millar leave.

McInnes said: “It is very disappointing that we will have to wait until the summer to get Chris. We did our bit to try and get him now. Our bid met their valuation and the boy is desperate to play for us. We were keen to bring him in now. But I’m sure Chris will show his worth to our fans next season.”

Cult figure Daal, whose curtain call generated a post-match red card at Dunfermline, departed with the club’s best wishes, having made just two starts and failed to score for Saints after his summer arrival. McInnes indicated he was keen to get another striker in to bring his attacking options back up to five.

Winger McLaren was a reputed £40,000 recruit from Airdrie who failed to live up to the Owen Coyle’s expectations. He made just eight starts this season and has vanished without trace since McInnes moved into the manager’s office. McLaren last figured on the bench in the Challenge Cup final in November but hasn’t been quoted since McInnes began calling the shots.

It’s understood the player wasn’t paid compensation for the 18 months left on his contract. But the Perth boss would only say: “We felt it was in the interest of both parties to have a change. Willie wasn’t part of my plans.”