Geoff hails Del as Saints celebrate

May 5 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

GEOFF BROWN’S decision to look in-house for the successor to manager Owen Coyle was fully vindicated with the weekend title win.

And the long-standing St Johnstone chairman believes Perth fans have taken Derek McInnes to their hearts.

More than 6000 supporters savoured a sunshine party as Saints crushed Morton 3-1 to reclaim a coveted place in the Scottish Premier League.

Hundreds of jubilant fans invaded the pitch at full-time and Brown would love to see a new generation of Saints fans back at McDiarmid Park next season.

Reflecting on his decision to appoint midfield player McInnes 18 months ago, he was well aware it would not be universally popular.

The chairman observed: “Appointing Derek was just like bringing in a Paul Sturrock or Owen Coyle.

“We were looking to identify someone capable of doing the job and I believe we got the decision right.

“There was never a chance we would sit down and interview half a dozen candidates. We had no qualms about offering Derek the job when Owen left.

“Fans are fans wherever you go. Obviously Derek played for Rangers and that coloured their attitude at first. Owen played for so many clubs it didn’t matter and he wasn’t with either of the Old Firm. That certainly helped him be accepted.

“But Derek has been excellent. Now he’s won a championship he’ll be fully accepted by the supporters.”

Looking to the future, the chairman admitted finances would be influenced by the outcome of the troubled Setanta television deal.

“It’s not going to be easy but we will have to find more money playing in the Premier League.

“The nature of football means that some players will leave and others will come in over the summer. The challenge is finding the players at the right price.

“But Derek McInnes has done an exceptional job here. He is shrewd and honest with a great work ethic. Derek is great to deal with.

“He is a man who knows what he wants.

“When he identifies a player it’s up to us to do what we can to bring him here. We’ve been here before. We’re not strangers to the SPL. But our last championship was 12 years ago and that’s a long time.

“I had grandsons and granddaughters at the Morton game and like many in the crowd they’re too young to remember Saints playing in the SPL. It will be a new experience for them.

“It was great to see so many youngsters at the weekend game. Hopefully they’ll now be Saints fans for life.

“I had a call from Owen Coyle wishing us well. Paul Sturrock’s daughter Lisa was in the boardroom with her grandfather for the game. And I’d like to think these ties sum up St Johnstone as a club. Life is too short to make enemies.

“Guys like Paul and Owen went on to improve themselves. Now there will be speculation over Derek. But that means the manager is doing something right.

“Like it or not we are a middle of the road club and you can’t stop speculation.

“Derek might be new to the job but he is a quick learner. He has showed character this season.

“Those who have watched him at work know he is no mug. Mind you, my life expectancy would have been longer if we’d romped to the title!”