McInnes counts the cost of St Johnstone's historic result

Feb 24 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

DEREK McInnes was left assessing the toll of a hard-earned Palmerston point which matched the club’s all-time undefeated run of 19 games.

The St Johnstone manager yesterday revealed key midfielder Jody Morris could be out for up to two months and striker Collin Samuel will miss the Tayside derby clash with Dundee on Saturday.

Full-back Gary Irvine is on the doubtful list so the record was equalled at a cost.

And McInnes was furious with some of the Queen of the South tackling which will test the depth of the league leaders’ squad.

Matching Bobby Brown’s 1963 record was overshadowed by the casualty county in Dumfries.

McInnes said: “Jody has torn a lateral ligament and will be out for six to eight weeks. It is a real blow because he has been a huge influence on the side.

“I’m not happy with the tackle on Jody after he put in a shot. Their player flew into Jody. It was two-footed and off the ground.

“Gary is also getting a scan but we’re hoping it is just severe bone bruising to his ankle. He was on the end of an horrendous tackle.”

Morris, who was sidelined for months with a hamstring problem, was taken off on a stretcher after being clattered by Craig Barr while Irvine was hurt in a challenge with ex-Saint Jamie McQuilken.

With Andy Jackson out for the season, McInnes is down to three strikers – Derek Holmes, Stevie Milne and Peter MacDonald – for the derby with in-form Dundee.

Samuel has suffered a tear to his troubled hamstring and McInnes admitted: “He has no chance for Saturday. But he might be ready for the Ross County game.”

Last night Saints reserves faced East Fife, with midfield duo Kevin Moon and Martin Hardie getting a chance to show they’re ready to take over from Morris. MacDonald got another run up front, with Gavin Swankie, Steven Anderson and Richie Byrne getting game time.

Saints have a five-point lead and the Perth manager has no doubt his players can go the distance. And extending their current lead over Dundee to nine points this weekend would delight Saints fans in a bumper crowd.

“It will be a fantastic derby game and one we will relish,” said McInnes.

“There should be a good turn-out.

They are saying they fancy their chances but we are really strong at home. We haven’t lost in Perth since August. We will look to make home advantage count.”

McInnes was delighted with the resolve and belief his players showed to twice haul themselves back against Queen of the South.

“It’s there in spades. At times we were terrific. The attitude and spirit was there again in abundance. The players have been fantastic.

“They picked themselves up twice.  Being top of the league, there are two things you look for – doubt and complacency. Complacency certainly won’t be a factor and I have no doubt that these players are capable of going on to win this league,” he declared.

“We still have it all to do but the signs are there.

“We have seven home games now and five on the road. There’s a lot to look forward to, starting with the derby.

“During this unbeaten run some people think we are happy with a point but anyone at Ross County, Morton or Queen of the South has seen us trying to win matches.”

McInnes has always stressed Saints would rely on their squad to meet their targets.

“We have lost a couple of key players. We have four out, including Sammy, Jody, Jacko and Kevin James, with no guarantees Martin Hardie will be fit at any given time. He is going to see the back specialist again.

“We are stretched and looking at the possibility of bringing someone in.

“But Saturday confirmed we have players with the right stuff to get the job done.”