Injured St Johnstone striker determined to get back

Feb 16 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

PETER MacDonald yesterday shrugged off his latest injury set-back, branding it “minor league”.

The in-form striker, who was hurt while netting St Johnstone’s opener in a 3-2 defeat at Kilmarnock, faces four to six weeks on the sidelines.

It’s a blow for manager Derek McInnes, with the 29-year-old attacker looking capable of coping with three games a week during a demanding schedule.

Yesterday, the striker revealed he will undergo cartilage surgery today.

But he pledged to return next month and take up where he left off in Ayrshire.

“I heard a crunch when the tackle came in from Simon Ford. It was innocent enough. Si isn’t a dirty player. He was just trying to stop me scoring and caught my standing leg.

“I got up to celebrate the goal with Paul Sheerin and Jody Morris but couldn’t straighten my knee. Peanut was telling me to get back to the half-way line but I couldn’t get going.

“It turns out there was a nick to the cartilage and I’ll be out for four weeks. But I’m very positive about it. This is minor league after what I’ve been through.”

Long-servant MacDonald has endured a series of bad injuries during his years with Saints but earlier this season a hamstring problem was sorted out by a top specialist in Germany using various techniques, including goats blood injections. On Boxing Day, he bagged a hat-trick at Motherwell – the first top flight treble by a Perth player since Henry Hall 36 years earlier – and has also netted against Dundee United and Kilmarnock.

MacDonald said: “To be honest I always felt confident I would score goals in the SPL if I could get back fit.

“I’ve worked hard to get here and this won’t stop me. I might not be able to run before the surgery but I’m on the weights. I’m determined to keep up my fitness and get back playing as soon as possible. It’s just a bit of bad luck.”

McInnes will have to replace MacDonald in his frontline to face Hibs in tomorrow’s re-scheduled SPL clash at McDiarmid Park.

Kenny Deuchar and top scorer Collin Samuel both came off the bench at Rugby Park and are in contention for the games with third placed Hibs and Saturday’s live Sky match-up with league leaders Rangers.

The Perth manager was extracting the positives from a Killie defeat, where Saints again squandered leads. But he admitted the loss of goals from set pieces had to be addressed urgently.

“We played well away from home against a team in form. I felt we were comfortable for long spells. We were the better side for the majority of the game. But it was like earlier in the season when we put in some good performances without getting points, and points are what we’re here for.

“It was disappointing and frustrating but I believe we are just a fraction away from really improving things here. There is no lack of effort or commitment from the players but we have to improve on our concentration and organisation at crucial times. Small percentages can mean the difference between picking up points and not.

“I’d be more concerned if we weren’t playing well or making chances, and looking short of confidence. That isn’t the case. We are showing real energy and a competitive spirit.

“But we have been losing too many goals from set plays and that is unlike us, especially as we have extra height and presence. More experienced managers than me have pointed out set pieces can be the difference between winning and losing in this league when matches are so tight.”

Influential midfielder Jody Morris is a doubt for the Hibs game with an ongoing stomach problem and Filipe Morais will have a fitness test on the calf injury which kept him out at Kilmarnock. On the plus side, midfielder Kevin Moon training yesterday and could be back in contention.

Commenting on MacDonald’s injury, McInnes stressed: “Peaso has been making real progress and he has been unfortunate. He will see a specialist and get the cartilage tidied-up. He has shown he is a good finisher in and around the box. It’s a setback but Peaso is a tough character. He’ll be fine.”

Hibs are coming off the back of a 3-0 defeat at Ibrox but McInnes was impressed with their all-round first-half performance.

“They were assured with some really talented individuals in the ranks. They showed why they are up there challenging. But this is one of our games in hand and we want to make it count.”

TICKETS for Saturday’s SPL game with Rangers are on sale at McDiarmid during office hours this week. It is a 12.45pm kick-off.

JODY Morris will make his 50th start for Saints if he overcomes an injury to face Hibs tomorrow night at Perth. Meanwhile defender Steven Anderson celebrated the 150-appearance milestone against St Mirren last week.