St Johnstone aim to make 2009 a year to remember

Jan 2 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IT’S back to where it all began for league leaders Saints.

First footing Saints head up the A9 for Dingwall tomorrow determined to get the New Year off to a flier and extend their impressive 14-game unbeaten run.

Travelling fans are being warned a pitch inspection could be on the cards, after temperatures plunged earlier in the week up north.

It was back in mid-September that a Collin Samuel double stopped the rot after four successive defeats, paving the way to a track record which is the best since Paul Sturrock’s title winning campaign more than 10 years ago.

Target man Derek Holmes has proved influential and while he’s not been finding the net, the former Rotherham and one-time Ross County attacker has emerged as a key player for manager Derek McInnes.

Holmes hasn’t netted since Queen of the South three months back.

“I had another chance against Clyde but I struck it first time and it went straight to the keeper. That’s typical of my luck at the moment,” he lamented.

“Maybe if I was younger it would be preying on my mind but the team is winning and I’m playing well enough. I’ve been here before in my career so I know the goals will come.

“Myself and Stevie Milne’s partnership probably dipped a bit but we were back on form against Clyde. I feel everything is there for me apart from the goals.”

Holmes admitted Saints were under pressure on their last visit to his former club.

He said: “People were writing us off after a few bad results. But the manager had assembled a good squad and once we got settled in and began to gel the quality started to show.

“It’s a difficult place to go and Ross County had a good win away to Partick last weekend. But we have gone 14 games undefeated and who says we can’t make it 15? We aren’t thinking about the 16-game run under Paul Sturrock. We’re just looking to begin the New Year on a positive note with three points.

“It’s great to start 2009 on top but other teams failed to capitalise when we drew games recently.

“This run began in Dingwall and with confidence sky high hopefully we can extend it into the New Year.”

Dunfermline beat third placed Livingston to narrow the gap at the top to five points and with Partick losing in midweek, it’s already shaping-up as a two horse race to the finish.

McInnes isn’t buying into that but he’s looking for three points in the Highlands to get the New Year off to a promising start.

He said: “I still believe there are four or five teams in contention. But we are on a great run and want to keep it going.”

Stuart McCaffrey and new recruit Graham Gartland got game time in a 3-1 defeat from a strong Rangers team in midweek. Saints were leading one nil through Liam Craig but the Gers scored three late goals, with Saints littered with teenagers by that stage.

There are doubts over Martin Hardie, Peter MacDonald and Collin Samuel, who has scored four times against County this term. As with Steven Anderson, much will depend on training today.

IT’S full steam ahead for the Massive Blue and White Sponsored Walk at McDiarmid next Saturday. Sponsorship forms are being snapped-up for the event arranged by Weareperth website fans in conjunction with Saints. The club’s youth development project will share the proceeds with PADS and the PRI Macmillan Palliative Care Unit Appeal. Sponsorship forms can be collected from the stadium. Contact St Johnstone sales and marketing manager Paul Smith with requests, including their name, address and contact number. The email address is enquiries@perthsaints.co.uk