Del wants to hit 50 ... with vigour

Dec 26 2008 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

TABLE-TOPPING manager Derek McInnes is seeking a belated Christmas present as he marks his milestone 50th game in charge at McDiarmid Park.

Victory over a rejuvenated Clyde side would see league leaders Saints extend their undefeated run to 14 games and take advantage of nearest challengers Dunfermline and Livingston going head to head this weekend.

Saints haven’t lost since crashing 3-2 to the Bully Wee in August. And while they have clocked-up five draws, four of them have been on the road.

But Clyde, who also snatched a draw at Broadwood, are on a roll after sharing eight goals at Dunfermline, on the back of wins over Airdrie and Dundee.

McInnes said: “It’s a game we’re looking forward to and I’m sure the fans will be right behind us. Hopefully there will be a big holiday crowd.

“We’re looking to capitalise on home advantage. We are well aware Clyde won here earlier in the season. They are on a good run with some hungry young guys full of confidence – but they have taken enough points from us thisseason!

“It is all about us forcing home our advantage. We are well aware of the problems they have caused us. If it does take us time to make the breakthrough hopefully the fans will stay with us and play their part.”

Perth winger Gavin Swankie dropped out of the picture after the Broadwood clash but he was recalled at Airdrie.

He said: “After sitting in the stand for a couple of weeks it was good to be on the bench at Airdrie and then to get a 20-minute run.

“I’d spoken to the gaffer about the situation and he’d told me I needed to bide my time.

“I recognise I’m not just going to walk into the first-team and maybe he wanted to make a point by leaving me in the stand in the hope that would motivate me.

“In one respect my form had possibly dipped. But I don’t feel my confidence is low.”

Swankie, a high profile summer recruit from Dundee, admitted: “Things aren’t going the way I planned. I’m not firing on all cylinders at the moment. But I still feel I’ve a lot to give to St Johnstone.

“As a winger you need to go by players and then ensure your delivery into the box is up to the standard that’s required.

“That’s why I was brought to the club. Obviously I’ve not been doing that as often as the gaffer wants. But I’m still relatively new to St Johnstone.

“Clyde are flying at the minute and it’ll be a tricky game. But we need to set things straight after they came up here and beat us in August.”

SAINTS have slashed the prices for tomorrow’s home game with Clyde. It’s just £10 and £5 to boost the holiday crowd.

SEASON ticket holders are invited to a “Meet the Manager” event at McDiarmid on Monday at 2.30pm.

SAINTS have released youngster Stephen Kerr. He made his debut against Stirling Albion at Forthbank.

SAINTS fans planning to participate in the January 10 “Massive Blue and White Sponsored Walk” can collect sponsorship forms from the McDiarmid ticket office from 2-3pm tomorrow.