Praise for the Saints

Feb 17 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

DEREK McInnes yesterday lavished praise on the players who have carried Saints to within 90 minutes of equalling the club’s longest ever undefeated run.

He was quick to acknowledge that the first-half performance against Livingston wasn’t up to scratch but the bigger picture is impressive.

McInnes, who is now gearing-up for a trip to face Queen of the South, said: “We are top of the table and just one game away from a historic milestone in the club’s history so the players deserve a huge amount of credit.

“I’m told this is the best run for nearly 50 years.

“That is some level of consistency and only one team has scored more goals than us.

“You can’t play well in every game but we have strung together 18 matches unbeaten in a league where people say everyone is capable of beating everyone else. Well, during that spell no one has beaten this team and the players have done the club proud.

“No one outwith our dressing room would have thought we’d go on to beat Livingston on Saturday. We were fortunate to go in level and I acknowledge that. But there is belief in abundance in this squad. It’s a tight group which sticks together.

“We deserved to win because of the quality that was produced for our goal. The opposition couldn’t come up with that and once again our subs made a real impact. Everyone is playing their part.

“A lot of people doubted us but I have complete belief in this squad of players.

“We are all motivated to get the success we want for the club.”

Now Perth fans will have a big part to play as the race for the championship reaches a crucial phase.

And McInnes has to contend with a pitch which has deteriorated over the winter and is no longer conducive to a slick passing game.

The manager shares fans’ frustration that a left-back hasn’t been drafted in yet but he has been thwarted by varying factors in a wide-ranging search.

But another plus from the weekend was the return of Martin Hardie for a late cameo, after 80 minutes against Scotland U21s.