Del’s destiny is only a Ton wait

May 1 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IT’S 12 years since McDiarmid Park last played host to St Johnstone title celebrations and the countdown is on to a potential party tomorrow.

Manager Derek McInnes is stressing there’s still work to be done and nothing is being taken for granted. But, for the first time, Saints have their destiny in their own hands and the prospect of toasting the championship will lure fans from near and far to the Crieff Road stadium.

McInnes expects third-placed Morton – his first senior club and still one still close to his heart – to provide awkward opposition.

“My old club Morton will try to make it tough. We’ve won once and drawn twice away. They have hit form recently,” he said.

“But from October we have been top of the league and have been there to be shot at.

“I know Morton will be motivated and they will be determined to play more than a supporting role. They will be trying to beat us.

“But we have had to handle that all season. There has been pressure on us all the way through. We put pressure on ourselves last summer.

“Now we are approaching the moment when we can get the job done. It’s great to know it’s in our own hands and hopefully we can produce a performance on par with last week at Dundee.

“We have an opportunity here to clinch the title in front of our own fans and don’t want to let it pass us by.

“It’s been a normal week for us but obviously that will change in the countdown to kick-off.

“We realise the importance of the game. There are no guarantees in football but the same attitude and performance levels we showed at Dens Park should be good enough to win the game.”

Saints are anticipating a big turn-out tomorrow and McInnes again issued a rallying call to Perth fans.

“They will be there in numbers and maybe they will treat it as a day out. That’s what our away support does and they get right behind us.

“The East Stand fans have been playing their part and I think supporters realise they have a team here to be proud of.

“They couldn’t have a more committed group. These guys are giving everything.

“I’m sure we’ll get great support from the stands and hopefully we can produce a performance to allay any anxiety. If we stand together we can make it a day to remember.”

Keeper Alan Main has fully recovered from an injury scare and only long-term injured duo Peter MacDonald and Andy Jackson are ruled out.

Striker Stevie Milne has his sights set on a personal landmark, just weeks after making his 100th appearance in a Perth jersey.

His vital strike against Dundee took his tally to 49 and he’s on the brink of joining an exclusive 20-strong club of players to hit the half-ton mark for Saints.

Milne’s last SPL appearance was for Dundee, scoring in a 2-1 win over Aberdeen, and he said: “That was five years ago before I left for Plymouth. I’d love to get back to the SPL with Saints.

“I expected to be back there sooner and I just hope we can do it now.

“I wasn’t aware I was closing in on 50 goals for Saints and I’d love to make it this weekend. But winning and taking the title is the priority.

“I know we have played in glamorous cup games in recent years but winning the league is the most important thing at any football club. So that makes the Morton game arguably the biggest in my time here.”

THE SFL hierarchy will be present at McDiarmid and the Irn-Bru backed trophy will be presented after the match if Saints clinch the championship against Morton.

SAINTS fans will be welcomed into the East and West Stands while Morton fans will be in the North Stand.

THE Saints U17s will be presented with the U17 SFL Youth championship and receive their medals at half-time tomorrow.

THE St Johnstone FC Supporters Club and the Auchterarder Supporters Club are teaming-up to present their player of the year awards in the McDiarmid Park Muirton Suite around 6pm tomorrow.

Youngsters are welcome.