Left-back to the future for manager

May 29 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DEREK McInnes admits solving the left-back puzzle is a summer priority.

A string of players filled-in last term, with midfielder Liam Craig impressing in a defensive role.

Despite speculation in the national press, McInnes is not chasing Partick full-back Marc Twaddle (or Inverness midfielder Dougie Imrie).

But the Perth manager said: “Without a shadow of doubt we need a left-back. That is a priority for us.

“It was a problem area all last season, the one position we didn’t get sorted out last summer. I had my targets and trialist after trialist came in. I had the profile of the player I wanted in my head. But good players in contract cost money.

“People did indicate we would get this player or that. Even in January we had identified another four or five. But they were just too expensive for us.

“Liam deserves enormous credit, playing in a back four which notched-up plenty of clean sheets. But we lost him in forward areas.

“Paul Hanlon came in from Hibs. He was the type I wanted. We tried to get him last summer. He showed his quality when he came in. He was young, hungry and added height at the back. He was the photo-fit of the player I wanted after Goran Stanic left. Goran had been a great servant and it was important he was replaced with someone better.

“If it was a fault it wasn’t through lack of effort that we didn’t get a left-back sorted out. I realise the importance of the position and we have to get it filled over the summer.”

Meanwhile, McInnes is weighing-up a move for out of contract Hamilton striker Kenny Deuchar. The former Gretna attacker, who sparkled on a short-term loan at Perth, is keen on a playing for Saints in the SPL. McInnes wants a target man and while he has several candidates in mind, Deuchar seems destined for McDiarmid Park.

SAINTS have landed a near £100,000 windfall after Owen Coyle led Burnley to the Premier League in England. A clause was built into the deal when Coyle was lured to Turf Moor.

ANY fans wanting to take advantage of payment by direct debit for season tickets must have the forms completed and handed into McDiarmid Park over the weekend. There has been “an encouraging response” in the wake of promotion to the SPL.

SAINTS are pressing on with the installation of new floodlights for the SPL. The five-figure investment is demanded by SPL regulations. Chairman Geoff Brown, who is still actively seeking a shirt sponsor for next season, said: “It’s big bucks even although we plan to use the existing pylons. The output from the existing lights is significantly short of the regulations.”