Del – I’m happy to stay at McDiarmid

Jun 26 2009 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DEREK McINNES insist he has his sights fixed on SPL football with St Johnstone next season despite continuing interest from West Bromwich Albion.

The Midlands club are still trying to replace former manager Tony Mowbray, who joined Celtic recently.

But former Baggies star McInnes has re-iterated his desire to stay in Perth and said that the only reason he is being linked to the vacant manager’s role at the Hawthorns is because of the success achieved during his side’s title-winning campaign last season.

And he revealed that he spelled-out his commitment to the McDiarmid Park players and staff following a recent discussion with the club’s chairman, Geoff Brown.

McInnes said: “I’m flattered to be linked to West Brom because, in many ways, it’s a recognition of the job we did last season.

“But my thoughts are focused on working in the SPL.

“I’ve told the chairman I want to stay and that I see my future here.

“I’ve always had a great relationship with Geoff and I certainly want that to continue.

“I’m anxious to get everything sorted out in the next week or two,” he said.

The Perth side were interested in sought-after Livingston striker Leigh Griffiths, who completed a £125,000 switch to Tayside rivals Dundee this week.

But McInnes went on to assure fans he is working hard to ensure the £50,000 capture of Dave MacKay and Murray Davidson from Almondvale isn’t the last of the summer transfer activity.

He said: “We’re looking to bring in a couple of players before the start of the season, just like before any other campaign, but they need to be the right ones.

“The chairman’s asked me to hang-fire on that front for a while because of what’s happening with Setanta and the TV money.

“But I’m confident we’ll have some more new arrivals before the opening game against Motherwell,” he said.