Cillian Sheridan's St Johnstone debut put on hold

Jan 19 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Cillian Sheridan

PERTH fans will have to be patient to get a look at new recruit Cillian Sheridan.

The centre forward, signed on loan from Celtic, took in last night’s Active Nation Scottish Cup tie at Forfar from a seat in the stand, having been signed after the cut-off date for the game.

And with Celtic next up at McDiarmid for Sunday’s televised SPL game, his debut goes on hold until the January 27 midweek trip to face Dundee United at Tannadice.

Meanwhile, winger Filipe Morais is causing concern with a hamstring strain picked-up in training.

He would have missed the weekend game with Aberdeen if it had beaten the weather.

Manager Derek McInnes said: “Cillian trained with us on Friday and again on Sunday and he’s in good shape.

“He can’t play against Celtic so he’s in cold storage a little longer. But we knew he wouldn’t play against Celtic because that’s in the terms of his loan deal. Now Cillian will be gearing himself towards the United game.

“He will get some extra work this week while others are resting-up. It will give him a chance to get used to the lads and see us in action a couple of times before he’s involved.”

Striker Andy Jackson is destined to go out on a one-month loan to get him match fit after his year-long injury woes.

But McInnes is hopeful the 22-year-old attacker will return to play a role in an increasingly crammed fixture schedule.

He said: “One or two clubs have already inquired about Jacko. He is back in training but he needs games. I’ve spoken to Jacko about going out on loan and he’s eagerly anticipating it. We’d need an understanding with the other club that he’d play.

“I’m sure he would be a real asset to someone. He is looking fine in training and there is a real hunger and desire there. He’s desperate to get back and push his way into the team here.”

McInnes remains hopeful that Morais will be in contention for the squad to face Celtic – in McDiarmid Park’s first game of the year. He said: “It was causing concern initially but there doesn’t seem to be anything sinister to it. It seems to be settling and we’ll monitor it over the next few days.”

McInnes is bracing himself for weekend and midweek games into March after three SPL games put on hold.

He said: “We will go from one extreme to another. But you won’t hear us complaining. We are delighted to be getting games again rather than kicking our heels.”

Casualties Collin Samuel and Kevin Rutkiewicz are progressing well and could return in two or three weeks.

McInnes, who is still keen to bring in another fresh face, said: “If we had these two back for the start of February that would be a real bonus.”