Loan Ranger to Saints rescue

Oct 3 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Loan Ranger toSaints rescue

WITH keeper Euan McLean sidelined for six weeks, Derek McInnes has wasted no time in drafting in emergency cover for number one Alan Main.

The Perth manager tapped into his extensive contacts book to lure 22-year-old Lee Robinson from Rangers and the Englishman will feature on the bench tomorrow against Airdrie.

And McInnes made it clear he anticipates that highly regarded Robinson, who played 20 times last season for First Division rivals Morton during a previous loan deal, is expected to maintain pressure on his first choice goalkeeper.

Morton and Queen of the South were both keen to secure Robinson at the start of the season.

But his prospects of breaking through at Ibrox have been limited, with £10 million rated international Allan McGregor, who advanced his own career on the McDiarmid stage under John Connolly, currently warming the bench with Neil Alexander between the sticks.

McInnes was resigned to losing Scotland U21 player McLean, his summer signing from Dundee United, after an arm injury which necessitated urgent attention.

The manager explained: “Euan was complaining 10 days ago of pain after a training session. The initial scan didn’t show up anything but the problem was apparent in a second one. He will be in a cast for a few weeks.

“It is disappointing for Euan and ourselves. He has been working hard with Alan Main. I knew our options would be limited so the Old Firm clubs were obvious places to look, with Rangers having McGregor and Alexander battling it out for the first team jersey, along with Graeme Smith.

“I wanted a keeper to come in and maintain the pressure on Alan. Lee is a similar calibre and did well last season at Morton. He is a good keeper and hopefully the player and the club will benefit from the loan. I’m grateful to Rangers for allowing it to happen. Initially Lee is with us for a month.”

Tomorrow’s clash with the Diamonds signals the end of the first quarter and it will be a mixed report card for the Perth side.

But after their early trials and tribulations, a haul of 10 points from 12 would indicate a remarkable transformation in advance of the international break and a trip to Livingston.

McInnes said: “This is just as important as the Dundee game last week. The derby helped the feel good factor and gave us an extra jolt of confidence.

“But there’s no point beating Dundee only to fall flat on our faces against Airdrie. We will go into the game in a positive mind but the players have to remember the work ethic which has turned things around.”

Airdrie feature several players with Perth ties, including keeper Stephen Robertson, Paul Lovering and Stuart Noble.

McInnes isn’t underestimating the challenge posed by last season’s promoted side but he’s eager to maintain momentum going into the break. The last time Saints were facing a free weekend they slipped up at home against Clyde and he doesn’t want a repeat, especially with potential title rivals clashing this weekend.

Kevin Rutkiewicz missed training earlier in the week but should be available. Steven Anderson will undergo a fitness test after missing out last week. Jody Morris is working to a Chelsea rehab programme and a reserve game after the break has been pencilled-in for a return along with Kevin James.

SOME tickets for the St Johnstone FC Business Club annual dinner on November 7 are still available. The event is being staged at the Symphony Lovat Hotel. Tickets priced at £45 are available by contacting St Johnstone FC on 01738 459093 or Stewart McKinnon on 01383 621118.

THE Saints reserves crashed 5-0 to Dunfermline in the league cup.