Saints’ season in perspective

May 29 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A CLUTCH of St Johnstone players featured in all but a handful of games during the title winning campaign.

Full-back Gary Irvine and striker Derek Holmes, now off to Queen of the South, figured in 39 of the 40 games played.

The only one they missed was the nothing-at-stake final match with Airdrie United.

Liam Craig and Paul Sheerin played a part in 38 of the Irn-Bru First Division matches, with club captain Kevin Rutkiewicz just one behind on 37 appearances.

Top scorer was Steven Milne with 15 strikes.

His second goal in the 3-1 win over Morton at McDiarmid Park in the promotion-clinching match was his 50th for the club.

Holmes and Collin Samuel weighed in with seven goals each.

Alan Main posted 15 clean sheets.

Saints statistician Brian Doyle confirms this is the best goalkeeping record since Main enjoyed 20 shut outs in league matches during the 1996/97 season.

The 14 league draws is the most draws recorded by the First Division champions since the leagues were restructured in 1994/95.