Jacko’s goals for the season

Jan 16 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Jacko’s goals for the season

ANDY Jackson has pledged to weigh-in with goals as Saints target a coveted slot in the SPL.

Last term’s most prolific striker has still to get off the mark in a campaign dogged by injury.

But the youngster made his first start for nine weeks and irritated the Rangers rearguard in midweek.

Now, he’s hoping to retain his starting place against third placed Partick Thistle.

During the summer, ambitious Jackson targeted a 20-goal haul and struck a bet with manager Derek McInnes to provide added incentive.

But he admitted: “It looks like the gaffer will be getting the £50. I think that’s out the window now. If I do go on to get 20 goals I should be getting a couple of grand from him!

“It has been tough handling the injuries, especially because of the high expectations I placed on myself at the start of the season.

“But I felt right back to my best against Rangers.

“ Hopefully I did enough to be involved at Firhill.

“It’s good to be back and now I want to get among the goals again.

“I had one chance against Rangers and probably hit it too well. It was a good save by Allan McGregor but if I’d shanked it I’m sure it would have gone in.

“He showed why he is rated one of the best keepers in the country with another top save from Liam Craig.”

McInnes made a point of congratulating Jackson on his display against Rangers, stressing that the introduction of Collin Samuel after an hour wasn’t a slight on the Republic of Ireland U21 player.

The Firhill pitch is protected by undersoil heating but takes a pounding from regular rugby matches.

Jackson said: “It is a tough place to go, especially after facing Rangers. But we are unbeaten in 14 league games and confidence won’t be dented by the cup defeat. It is strong as ever.

“It wasn’t as if we embarrassed ourselves against Rangers. We played well and it was late on before their class told.

“We all got a taste of the big time in midweek and whether you’re a youngster like myself or one of the older guys, we all want to finish the season strongly and make sure we are promoted.”

While keeper Alan Main owned up to an error of judgement which cost a goal against Rangers, Jackson stressed that the squad has 100 per cent confidence in their number one.

“Alan has bailed us out any number of times and that was what the gaffer was stressing at half-time on Tuesday. We know Alan is a top performer.”