Hardie has high hopes

Jan 27 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

HIGH flyer Martin Hardie has been grounded by injury.

But he’s determined to bounce back to play a key role in St Johnstone’s title bid.

And yesterday the midfielder joked that he’s ready to book-up a helicopter to travel in style.

He said: “The specialist says that clocking up the miles in a car to training isn’t doing the injury any good.

“I don’t suppose the club will get me a chauffeur so maybe I should hire a helicopter for a couple of weeks!”

The midfielder fears today’s planned reserve game with Ross County could come too soon in his recovery plan.

Hardie has been sidelined since a December clash against Airdrie and now he’s trusting to Scottish Rugby Union physio Stuart Barton to get his career back on track.

He explained: “It was our physio Nick Summersgill who recommended Stuart. Kevin James also goes to his Edinburgh clinic regularly.

“Hopefully he can get me sorted out once and for all. It’s a pelvic problem which has worked into the hamstring. I actually played against Airdrie with a torn hamstring and that brought it all to a head.”

Hardie resumed training on Thursday and had further sessions on Saturday and Sunday.

“I probably need a reserve game before returning to first team action. I hadn’t trained for a month. We’ll see how it goes.

“I’ve never had a hamstring injury before. It’s usually reserved for sprinters like Collin Samuel. Maybe I’m getting faster! But I have to be wary.

“I know within myself I wasn’t playing anywhere near my capability. I had to get it fixed rather than continue struggling through.”

Derek McInnes took in Morton’s draw with Livingston when the Dunfermline clash was called-off. Weekend results worked in Saints favour, with none of their rivals posting wins in a league where just 14 points separate top from bottom.

Saints head for Cappielow this weekend and McInnes hinted that a new left-back could be on board, although he again noted that further discussions are planned with Hibs boss Mixu Paatelainen to see if the Easter Road club will allow Paul Hanlon to return on loan through to the end of the campaign.

McInnes added that any new arrival for the left-back slot was likely to be a loan recruit.

A string of first team players are down to face Ross County at McDiarmid today. It’s a 1pm kick-off, weather permitting. Personnel include Euan McLean, Kevin Moon, Steven Anderson, Collin Samuel, Peter MacDonald and Andy Jackson. New signing Graham Gartland is progressing after a knee injury sustained in training. He won’t face County but could make the squad to face Morton. Meanwhile, Saints and Dunfermline have to agree a new date for their re-arranged game and March looks a good bet.

Reflecting on the weekend freeze-out, McInnes said: “It was disappointing not to get a game, especially against our nearest challengers.”

“We have only had one league game in January and that is frustrating. It will be important we get the points from games in hand racked up.”

FORMER Saints Owen Coyle and Jason Scotland have been making an impact south of the border.

Burnley boss Coyle secured an FA Cup replay at Turf Moor after a 2-2 draw away to Premiership side West Brom. The result came just days after his side came within seconds of ejecting Spurs out of the Carling Cup to set-up a Wembley final against Man United.

Coyle has made a huge impact since leaving Perth, with cup wins over Chelsea and Arsenal enhancing his profile down south.

Meanwhile Scotland set-up one goal and converted a spot-kick as Swansea took Portsmouth’s scalp at the weekend to progress to the last 16.

Now Coyle and Scotland are rivals for a play-off spots in the Championship, with Burnley and Swansea separated by just two points.