Fans are already dreaming of Dens

Apr 14 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

ST Johnstone have opened talks with Dundee and Tayside Police in advance of a derby which could see Saints clinch promotion to the SPL and eradicate a seven-year itch for top flight football.

Perth fans will follow their favourites in droves to Dens Park on April 25, with the game shaping-up as payback time for the infamous 1962 clash which saw Dundee clinch the title in Perth and consign their hosts to relegation.

If Saints beat Queen of the South at McDiarmid on Sunday, in a match being broadcast live on Gaelic channel Alba, they could be crowned champions at the home of their fiercest rivals.

Yesterday, Dundee general manager Jim Thomson said: “We are doing everything we can to make sure it is a pay at the gate.”

Saints fans could be accommodated in the away stand, the covered section opposite the main stand - 4700 seats in total - and possibly even parts of the main stand.

But yesterday manager Derek McInnes and weekend goal hero Liam Craig were stressing there’s work to be done before they start thinking of the Dens derby.

McInnes said: “I’d love to set up a title decider anywhere! Obviously I can see the appeal of Dens for our supporters.

“But as professionals we can’t get drawn into all that. We have a job to do first on Sunday against a team we have drawn with three times this season. I understand where the fans are coming from but we can’t afford to risk falling flat on our faces.

“We are in a strong position but all it takes is one or two in the dressing room thinking it’s job done and it would effect us all. So we will continue the way we have all season. That has served us well since August.”

But McInnes would love to reward loyal Perth fans with that all-important Dens date.

Supporters backed the team to the hilt at East End Park at the weekend and the manager said: “To a man they were magnificent. They played their part again. That is one of the reasons the club’s away record is better than for many years.”

Penalty kick scorer Liam Craig added: “After what happened to the club a couple of years ago the fans are right to feel the pressure. But we have brought new players in and we proved what we are capable of at Dunfermline.

“We had great backing again. It took us closer to the title and we know the rivalry there is with Dundee. To set-up a chance to win the title there would be brilliant but first we have to focus on Queen of the South.”

Craig revealed he harboured doubts before tucking away the penalty which secured a 3-1 lead.

“I remembered Paul Gallacher saving a penalty of mine for Norwich when I was with Ipswich reserves.

“I scored a peach at East End Park earlier in the season but Gary Irvine’s tops it because it was so important for us. It was some finish considering he has never been near the opposition penalty box in his life and it was his first goal in senior football!

“It was also a memorable day for Alan Main, breaking the club appearance record. He is a player of the year candidate along with Kevin Rutkiewicz and Stuart McCaffrey.”

At training yesterday, Irvine was invited to re-enact his East End Park strike!

McInnes said: “His goal topped another fine performance. He has shown a level of consistency since September and has even upped it recently. Gary has a great engine and a great attitude.”

Midfielder Jody Morris is expected to step-up training later in the week and Peter MacDonald could join him. Stuart McCaffrey is improving after a hip injury.