Luck of the Irish deserts Gartland

Jan 20 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

NEW recruit Graham Gartland suffered a freak injury in a training ground collision, writes Gordon Bannerman.

The former Drogheda defender is out for two weeks before he’s even kicked a ball for Saints.

Gartland was ruled out of the Partick game at the weekend and now he’s certain to miss Saturday’s visit from second placed Dunfermline.

Yesterday, Perth manager Derek McInnes revealed his anxious defender was sent for a scan, fearing his Perth career was over before it began.

McInnes said: “It’s a real blow but the good news is that he will only be out for a fortnight. It could have been much worse. He has stretched the medial ligament slightly. Thankfully it’s not serious.

“Graham hasn’t had an injury in five years and this happens before he has even made his debut for us. It was just an innocuous training ground block on Kevin Moon and Graham got a bit of a scare before the results came through.”

Having maintained a five-point advantage on the Pars, McInnes admits another tough contest is on the cards this weekend.

Striker Andy Jackson missed training yesterday with a sickness bug but midfielder Martin Hardie should return to training this week and press claims to be included in Saturday’s squad.

Peter MacDonald was marked down for a reserve game last night at East Fife, along with club captain Kevin James. But the match fell victim to the weather.

Top scorer Stevie Milne is expected to train later in the week if his thigh strain continues to improve. He could face Dunfermline.

McInnes is also discussing the future of loan signing Paul Hanlon with Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen.

McInnes said: “Kevin has been training for the last 10 days and now he needs games. His experience could still play an important part in the remaining games. Hopefully he will be back in contention for the first team soon.”

Saints have been linked with moves for former Rangers defender Maurice Ross and current Dundee full-back Eric Paton but yesterday McInnes dismissed the stories out of hand. Paton has also been lined with the Pars.

Ross, he explained, had simply been granted training facilities over the Festive period but Saints weren’t contemplating a move for the Viking Stavanger player, who looks destined for the Championship in England.

While Saints had to settle for a point at Firhill, McInnes was content with the outcome days after the Rangers cup defeat.

“There were four draws in the First Division and that underlines how tight and competitive it is.

“I was delighted with the response of the players and I’m looking for the same input on Saturday. I see Partick as challengers. They viewed Saturday as a chance to peg us back and Dunfermline will be the same this weekend.

“We know their mindset because in recent seasons we’ve been in their shoes. We know what we will face and meet it head on.”

SAINTS have now gone 15 games unbeaten in the league. A win or a draw against Dunfermline will equal Paul Sturrock’s 16-game undefeated run from the title winning season of 1996/97, when Alan Main clocked-up eight shut-outs.