St Johnstone - Heroes to the end

Apr 22 2008

DEREK McInnes yesterday lavished praise on Perth players who took Rangers to the brink of a shock Scottish Cup semi-final exit.

And he backed his heroes to the hilt after their cruel eviction on penalties.

The McDiarmid manager, who is progressing meticulously prepared plans to strengthen his squad for next season, admitted: “It’s harsh for any team to lose in a penalty shoot-out in a major competition. We all know how the fans must be suffering.

“The boys were desperate to give St Johnstone their first ever Scottish Cup final and go on to win it. You could see how gutted they were at the end.

“They would love to have become club legends.

“We came so close and everyone should be congratulated for their efforts. You have to feel for them, especially after last year’s disappointments at the same stage.”

Jody Morris – a potential long-term acquisition which would stun Scottish football – had his spot-kick saved, with Steven Milne in the same boat.

McInnes said: “There is a skill to taking penalties under that sort of pressure and we prepared with mock-ups during the build-up to the game. They stepped forward and hit the target but Neil Alexander saved them.”

McInnes, who endured an agonising shoot-out miss himself this season in a CIS Cup defeat from Partick, absolved them from blame, noting: “When Daniel McBreen scored I genuinely thought we were going to win. We had chances in the 90 minutes and extra-time but didn’t take them. Rangers were the same.

“Despite what some of the critics have said, my players didn’t lack belief. Their attitude was a real positive for me. We genuinely felt we could go on and win. We knew we could improve on the first-half.

“It’s not unlucky missing chances and failing to put the ball in the net. But for their effort, application and sheer guts they couldn’t be criticised.

“Jody and Goran Stanic were both suffering badly with calf injuries but at the end of 90 minutes I only had one sub left. It was down to which player felt the worst. Jody played on despite his injury. We took a gamble on Peter MacDonald, Martin Hardie and Jody but it was worth the risk.

“Remember we were up against a Rangers team chasing four trophies on a dangerously poor pitch. Our players gave everything they had and came agonisingly close.”

While he has closing league games tomorrow at Stirling and at home against Livingston, McInnes is plotting for next season. His line-up against relegated Albion will reflect priorities, with players on the verge of suspensions being left out.

“There is a lot to be excited about at this club and we’re desperate to get going next season,” stressed McInnes, a rookie manager whose status in the game has been fast-tracked in recent months.

WITH Hamilton securing promotion, cash strapped Dundee are in danger of losing several stars. Saints are being linked with an interest in winger Gavin Swankie and left back Paul Dixon.