Scottish Cup preview: St Johnstone vs Dunfermline

Mar 28 2008

DEREK McINNES yesterday called on his players to maintain standards in the countdown to the Scottish Cup semi-final.

A fiercely protected undefeated home record was shattered in midweek by Clyde and the Perth manager is demanding his players get back on track tomorrow against Dunfermline.

Pre-season, it was a clash which had the look of a title shoot-out. Instead, both fancied clubs are out of the equation.

But Saints, who secured the Challenge Cup at Dunfermline’s expense, at least have a massive cup game on the horizon.

The manager may still be learning the ropes but he’s determined to ensure standards don’t slip away along with the championship.

“We can’t afford to let standards drop. We aren’t good enough to turn it on and off like a tap. To be ready for the cup semi-final we must continue to train and perform at the right level,” he stressed.

“I don’t want the players falling into the trap of thinking there is only the cup left for us. We need to retain the right sort of edge around the club. We aren’t up to winning games at half-pace.

“We are all disappointed at losing the home record. As for the title, Saturday at Firhill finished it for me. But we still have to finish as high as possible and go into the semi-final with that winning mentality.”

A handful of changes were enforced in midweek with only Peter MacDonald protected. McInnes admitted that might have explained the slow start.

“It wasn’t the Clyde or Partick results which stopped our challenge for the title. It was the culmination of too many draws early in the season. It was the same story last year when we also had to play catch-up.

“It shows the importance of getting off to a good start. Hamilton and Dundee were more consistent.”

Assessing his squad for tomorrow’s home game, McInnes expects new dad Jody Morris to train today after attending the birth in London. Rocco Quinn will also be assessed today.

While Dundee United loan player Greg Cameron is out with knee damage, Goran Stanic is hopeful of returning to his left-back berth. A game is being arranged on Monday for Martin Hardie and Kevin James to enhance their fitness in the countdown to the semi-final. Daniel McBreen and Stuart McCaffrey are still sidelined with Jamie McCluskey and Andy Lawrie.

“Martin was never going to feature substantially against Clyde but it was good for his state of mind to feature again in the squad. He hasn’t had a reserve game yet but we are getting games over the next two weeks for him and big Kevin. It has been unfair on James but because of the Tuesday/Saturday schedule we haven’t had scope for other games. By his own admission he isn’t ready to start yet.”

*FANS wanting kitted out for the semi-final can bag current replica shirts from the McDiarmid shop before kick-off tomorrow, with a third discount. Tickets news for the game will be carried in next week’s PA but the Perth club are looking for a similar allocation to last season’s Hampden trip.