Two wins for title

Apr 21 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

DEREK McInnes yesterday warned his players they must target two wins from the last three games to clinch promotion.

The Perth manager insists his squad will bounce back from a morale-sapping Sabbath loss to Queen of the South.

The result took the gloss off a nomination for manager of the year from his fellow bosses.

Capturing the title at the home of deadly rivals Dundee this weekend is now a long shot but McInnes is concerned only with banking three more points at Dens Park.

And if casualties Stuart McCaffrey and Jody Morris come through a closed doors game against Celtic today they will come into contention for the derby.

Defensive frailties cost the championship-chasing Perth club dear as they gifted all three goals to endure an untimely home defeat.

Former Perth player Stephen Dobbie, now being linked as a potential Jason Scotland replacement at Swansea, had a field day.

McInnes acknowledged: “We have had a lot of plaudits and praise for our defending but this time we were culpable for all their goals.

“We played a part in our own downfall.

“It was a hard one to take. Now we are desperate to make amends. But there was still a lot to be pleased about in the second half performance. The players deserve credit for driving on.

“That enthusiasm and tempo has got us to the top of the league and will be required against Dundee.

He added: “We are back where we were before beating Dunfermline, with a four point lead over Partick. But now there are just three games left.

“I still feel we have to win two games so nothing has changed. We will pick ourselves up. We have to assume Thistle will pick-up nine points so we need six as quickly as possible. That’s what we are striving for.”

McInnes was still aggrieved yesterday at a first-half decision by referee Charlie Richmond which ruled out an equaliser.

Keeper Lee Robinson clearly fumbled a corner into his own net.

McInnes said: “The referee indicated afterwards that one of my players had used an arm to put the ball in the net. He told me it was my number six, Graham Gartland, although Martin Hardie was also mentioned. But there was clearly no contact and it was an own goal.”

The manager admitted he was looking for more than a point before the game but having clawed their way back from two down it would have been acceptable.

“Their third was down to poor decision making. We weren’t gung-ho.

“There was a real sense of disappointment and frustration that we didn’t win in front of our fans. Now it’s all about how we deal with this result. We’ve got to remain positive.

“It’s a blow but now there is very little room for error. We have to play with a real edge to our game now. There is a big prize there for us and I have the players to go anywhere and win three points in this league.

“I believe we are the best side in the division but we still have it all to prove. We have to ensure we finish on a high and get the job done.”

Striker Peter MacDonald won’t feature against the Celtic XI today and is already out of the derby.

Palmerston manager Gordon Chisholm has dented the title hopes of both Partick and Saints.

He said: “Partick will be delighted with this result and now is it’s about bottle. I would still put my money on St Johnstone. I still think they will win it.”