St Johnstone ready for Hearts game

Jan 29 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

IT’S Hearts in Perth tomorrow and manager Derek McInnes has challenged his players to stake claims for next week’s cup semi-final at Hampden Park.

The Co-operative Insurance Cup clash with Rangers provides Perth players with another opportunity to reach a national final and McInnes, who is still working to bring in a new face before Monday’s looming transfer deadline, admits it’s a prospect to savour.

But it will provide an incentive rather than a distraction in his preparations for a visit from Hearts, who are licking their wounds after a 3-0 home defeat from Aberdeen.

McInnes said: “A cup semi-final is a huge game in the career of a footballer. We want to go one better than we’ve done in recent years and reach the final.

“But this is an important SPL game and players can stake claims for the cup tie line-up. There’s no way it will be a distraction.”

The manager admitted losing a two-goal lead in the derby draw with Dundee United was disappointing but he flagged-up a host of positives from a match to remember.

“We have to remember where we have come from. But to go to Tannadice and perform like we did in that first-half – and respond to going 3-2 down – is a measure of the players we have here.

“They forced us back playing down the hill and while their second goal was a great finish I was disappointed with the free-kick awarded for the first and the third took a horrible deflection.

“I was delighted we came back from that and our supporters were magnificent again. The lads commented on the backing they’d got and it was appreciated.

“We want to play league games like cup ties and the fans are playing their part. Hopefully it will be the same against Hearts.

“United are a very good team and have been competing for third place for a season or two.

“Their agenda is different from ours. But we subdued them in the first-half with a superb display.”

The Perth camp has been hit by a sickness bug this week and midfielder Murray Davidson and keeper Alan Main were ordered to steer clear. Stuart McCaffrey has also suffered.

Davidson, however, should return to training today along with the veteran keeper. Liam Craig played on at Tannadice despite a tightness in his hamstring. Jody Morris has been plagued by pelvic pain recently but should face Hearts.

Andy Jackson got a 70-minute run for Arbroath in midweek and McInnes hopes he gets a run of games during his one-month loan spell, anticipating he will return to add to the attacking options.

Collin Samuel should train today and isn’t yet out of contention for the Gers cup tie.

Weighing-up the Hearts game, McInnes said: “They were capable and efficient against Rangers and will be disappointed they didn’t build on that draw against Aberdeen in midweek. We have to be aware there could be a reaction.

“They are a club which should be at the top end of the table but we are eager to climb away from the bottom end and take advantage of being at home. We aim to make it uncomfortable for Hearts.”

TICKETS for Wednesday’s Co-operative Insurance Cup tie with Rangers at Hampden Park are on sale today at McDiarmid Park and daily next week until 5pm on the day of the big game.

They are also on sale after the game tomorrow from the ticket office. Perth manager Derek McInnes is hoping supporters turn out in strength to cheer on their favourites, with Saints just 90 minutes away from only their third national cup final. Prices range from £5 for kids to £18, £22 and £24.

Routes have been flagged-up for Hampden. Saints buses and minibuses, must adhere to police instructions. There are a limited number of spaces available for those in possession of authorised SFL passes within the Purple car park.

For private transport: M74 Northbound: To avoid congestion on Rutherglen Main Street. Exit the M74 at Junction 1 (Fullarton). Turn right onto Fullarton Road, then left onto London Road and continue past Celtic Park to the crossroads junction of London Road at Dunn Street. Turn left onto Dunn Street. Continue on Dunn Street, at the junction with Main Street turn left onto Main Street and continue onto Shawfield Drive, turn right into Rutherglen Road then left into Polmadie Road turn right onto New Rutherglen Road continue onto Caledonia Road, left onto Cathcart Road, left onto Aitkenhead Road, left onto Calder Street, right onto Polmadie Road.

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Strathclyde Police web site www.strathclyde.police.uk