Curtain-raiser on Saints’ title bid

Aug 1 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DEREK McInnes was pulling out all the stops last night to secure a long-time signing target.

Expectant St Johnstone fans will roll-up to McDiarmid Park tomorrow for the eagerly anticipated First Division curtain raiser with Livingston, hoping the manager has pulled a rabbit from the hat.

The left-back role vacated by Goran Stanic has proved a problem area and McInnes, who has called for players and fans to produce passion en route to a memorable season, is keen to secure the final piece in his summer jigsaw.

McInnes, who has been looking abroad for candidates to strengthen his squad, said: “We have identified a player I want to bring to the football club and we are doing our best to get him here. We are still pushing hard for our target.”

It’s a race against time to get the defender on board for the Livi game.

But on the home front McInnes had mixed news from the treatment room. On the plus side, influential captain Kevin James, who made just four starts last season as injury took its toll, is set to return to central defence.

But keeper Alan Main has suffered a setback and has been ruled out along with Jody Morris and Steven Milne. Steven Anderson is doubtful.

Main revisited his specialist and McInnes said: “The surgeon wasn’t overly concerned but we’d be pushing it for Saturday. Greg Kelly signed for a month and he will be on the bench.”

The bookies fancy Saints for the title but McInnes warned: ““Five or six teams will have aspirations of promotion so we need to kick-on from last season and show more consistency. And it’s plain for all to see how important it is to get off to a good start. Hopefully we can do just that.

“Obviously I’ve brought in a few players over the summer and the response has been very positive. It was good to get most on board early rather than in dribs and drabs, and run the risk of losing targets to other clubs.

“Now time will tell if we can get off to a good start and get the job done. I want to pick up three points, go back to square one and focus on the next match. That’s the way leagues are won.”

McInnes is keen for the players and fans to feed off each other, as they did in major cup games last term.

He said: “It would be great to emulate the passion that marked games like the semi-final with Rangers and the Challenge Cup win over Dunfermline. If we can have passion and determination allied to the talent we have here it can be a memorable season. The fans and players are in this together.

“Livi have brought in Italian manager Roberto Landi and have a few new faces. We watched them draw with Coventry and they are playing a passing game. They will provide tough opposition. But we took 12 points from them last season and would love the same again.”

LADBROKES in Perth rate the First Division a two horse race. They have installed Saints and Dundee as 2-1 joint favourites. QoS are 6/1 and Dunfermline 7/1. The bookies have Airdrie down as relegation favourites.

SAINTS are out already but the Challenge Cup has now attracted a sponsor.

The Scottish Football League this week welcomed MG ALBA as the new title sponsor of the tournament. It will now be known as The ALBA Challenge Cup.

The partnership will run for this season’s competition, with options for renewal for further years. Saints, last year’s winners, lost out in round one at Ross County.

ST Johnstone FC Business Club’s plans to bring the Ryder Cup to McDiarmid Park have had to go on hold. PGA chief executive Sandy Jones had agreed to take part in an August 29 sportsman’s lunch.

Regrettably, Sandy recently underwent a heart bypass operation and is now recovering at home.

But the Business Club have acted to set-up an August 16 hospitality day at the home game with Dunfermline.

In addition to the excellent hospitality and football, the club is hopeful of securing the attendance of ‘weel kent’ Saints aces.

The cost for the day is £45. To reserve places members should order and pay by August 8. Email stewart@msactax.co.uk or call 01383 621118.