Moon dancer

Oct 7 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

THE return of home-grown midfielder Kevin Moon was welcomed yesterday by manager Derek McInnes.

The young playmaker defied the odds to bounce back after a prolonged groin injury, shining in a 45-minute appearance against Airdrie as Saints achieved the 10 points targeted after the last international break.

McInnes was impressed with Moon when he lined-up against the rookie in a bounce game just days after his move from Millwall.

But a series of injuries have hampered the local lad’s bid to stake a claim.

McInnes said: “Kevin’s return at the weekend was a real bonus considering he missed the pre-season. He has surprised us in terms of his general fitness. We thought it could be another six to eight weeks before he was up to speed.

“I think it’s important that Mooner is a St Johnstone fan. Our fans can relate to him and I want all my players to perform with passion for the team.

“He made an impact against Airdrie but it’s important we don’t expect too much of him. We put him on a strength and conditioning programme and he has bulked up. He has come back stronger, he moves the ball well and he is hard to dispossess.”

Moon was steered back to fitness by a Leicester-based specialist who has also worked on fellow Perth casualties Kevin James and Steven Anderson.

He said: “I’ve had groin problems for a while now. The specialist has also treated various Premiership players. It involves sugar injections but I don’t really know or care what the treatment is all about, just as long as it works!

“It's been a really frustrating time for me. I was expecting to come back in the summer to push for a place. I’m delighted to be back now. Hopefully that's all the injuries behind me.”

Moon knew he’d have to bide his time given the players brought in over the summer by McInnes.

“It's been unfortunate for the likes of Jody Morris to be out injured but it's up to me to take my chance. I'm learning all the time from the manager and players like Jody, who has played at the top level.

“The difference in the dressing room from a few weeks ago is night and day. It's amazing what a couple of wins can do. The change in fortunes has been down to pure hard work. Everyone is pulling in the same direction.

“Hopefully now we can kick on after the international break. We've cut out the mistakes at the back and, with the quality of players we have in the team, we'll always score goals.

The McDiarmid mood is at odds with the last international break, when McInnes had to rally the troops after three painful defeats.

Now, he’s looking beyond the free weekend, with the second quarter presenting an opportunity to advance Perth title aspirations.

“We’re definitely in a happier frame of mind and the players deserve a lot of credit for working extremely hard to get the points on board.

“There’s a steel about us now and still more quality to come,” said McInnes.

“There’s an important period coming up and we’re trying to get players fit.

“We have six or seven injured and I can’t imagine it being any worse over the season.

“But the squad has proved strong enough to handle it.”