Schedule falls into confusion

May 22 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

ST Johnstone’s pre-season build-up plans have been thrown into confusion.

Manager Derek McInnes had planned an August 1 Perth clash with Preston.

But now Saints are having to think again.

Instead, they will feature in the first round of the Co-operative Insurance Cup along with two other SPL sides.

Normally, the top flight teams miss out on that stage of the competition but Scotland has six teams in Europe this time round.

Saints managing director Stewart Duff said: “We had been planning a challenge game that day. We were aware the first round was scheduled for August 1 but hadn’t expected to feature in it.

“But Scotland got a fifth European spot and also qualified for the Fair Play invite.”

Saints will face a two-week gap before their first SPL game on August 15.

But moves are being made to fix-up a 125th anniversary glamour game in early August.