Accies match is a ‘must win’

Feb 15 2008

DEREK McINNES hasn’t been in the post long but the Scottish Cup presents the young Perth manager with a chance to make history.

With St Mirren preventing a Tayside derby at McDiarmid on March 8 by bumping Dundee United out in a midweek replay, St Johnstone are on track to secure back to back semi-finals in the national cup competition for the first time.

First up, they have league leaders Hamilton in town tomorrow for a game firmly in the “must win” bracket. Nothing but three points will do to retain any hope of clinching promotion this term.

But yesterday stadium staff were dealing with inquiries from excited fans, confirming the match will be pay at the gate.

McInnes, who played a key role in steering Saints to a last four clash with Celtic in April last year, said: “I was at the Tannadice game and St Mirren worked hard for their win. They probably deserved it. They were everything I thought they would be – dogged, tenacious and hard-working, breaking with pace.

“It was going to be a difficult tie for us whichever side we faced in the quarter finals. But we have a great home record over the last three years, losing only a handful of times.

“There are several lower league teams through to this stage but everyone will see this as a chance to progress. Obviously the Old Firm are still in it but there could be a way through to the final for a First Division team.

“It is sure to be close and competitive and I believe we can pose St Mirren problems. But right now we have to focus on Hamilton.

“I got a lot of satisfaction from the midweek win at Ross County and now we have an opportunity to trim the gap at the top to 10 points. We didn’t take anything from Queen of the South and that was disappointing. Make no mistake, Hamilton are a good side. But we really have to win.”

Daniel McBreen is still sidelined after taking another injection behind the knee and while Martin Hardie has resumed training it’s too early to get a recall. Troubled Andy Lawrie remains out of action but Jamie McCluskey featured on the bench in midweek and Goran Stanic should be ok after an early departure in Dingwall. Steven Anderson is available before a ban.

There could be a spot for midfielder Rocco Quinn, who made a surprise return from Celtic Park on another loan.

The player’s last start was at Stirling on Boxing Day before a proposed transfer deal fell through, with Celtic bizarrely demanding a six-figure fee.

Quinn, however, made an impact at Dumfries from the bench and had 90-minutes days earlier with Billy Stark’s Scotland U21s in Portugal.

He said: “It was a surprise coming back to Saints. I got a call from the manager here when I was out in Portugal and everything went through when I got back. I had no hesitation. I wanted to come back. There was unfinished business. We are in the middle of something here and there’s a lot to play for.

“I wanted to pick up from where I left off. We are in the quarter finals of the cup and still pushing for the title.

“I went back to Celtic and there were a few complications but that is in the past.

“There were no reserve games recently at Celtic and I had been getting treatment on the ankle injury I picked up at Stirling. So it was good to get a game for the U21 side against the Portuguese.”

Quinn is going out of contract at Celtic and admits his future is clouded. But he stressed: “I’m not sure what will happen in the summer. That’s a long way off and it is always a busy time with transfers. That will take care of itself.”

Quinn was ineligible for the Ross County tie but could face St Mirren, along with on-loan U21 colleague Greig Cameron, who would probably have been left out if Saints had been facing Dundee United.

“I haven’t really thought about the cup,” said Quinn. “It’s all about Accies on Saturday. It is one we have to win but that’s what we set out to do every time. We feel we are that good.

“It was great to be involved right away last weekend. That was a pleasant surprise. But I’m happy to be back and I knew exactly what I was coming to. It’s a great place.”