Andy Jackson stakes claim for new St Johnstone contract

Apr 27 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

St Johnstone 1 Aberdeen 1

ANDY Jackson toasted his first ever SPL career goal, only to discover that Lady Luck was still in the huff with him.

A blink-and-you-missed-it stoppage-time substitute in the victory at Aberdeen, which secured the club’s top flight status, Jackson has endured a gruesome time of it over the last two years.

Illness scares and further hospital stays for ligament and Achilles surgery have tested the 22-year-old’s resolve and determination to pursue a career in football.

From being a prodigious teenage talent, the most prolific scorer on the books, and being enticed into the Republic of Ireland U21 set-up, the spiky-haired lad was left trying to pick-up the pieces as various bodyparts demanded remedial work.

With his contract petering out in the summer and a short-term loan at Arbroath failing to yield the goals required to nurture confidence, an impressive 19-minute cameo provided manager Derek McInnes with food for thought as he plays the numbers game for next season.

The injury-cursed striker celebrated a career-first SPL goal when he bundled home a close range finish in the 89th minute – only to discover television evidence had undermined his claim, with the media crediting the equaliser to Dons keeper Stuart Nelson.

It’s one for the dubious goals panel but, with a close range shot finding the net via the post and the goalie, Jackson will have to be patient for that top division goal.

It was a scrappy affair in keeping with the match, which was similar to the previous week’s comeback point against St Mirren.

Finishing seventh ahead of Hamilton will bolster the manager’s kitty substantially for next term, so perhaps Saints will respond to the desperation and tension created by relegation-stalked Kilmarnock and Falkirk before Accies come to town for the sign-off game.

The players looked up for it in the opening 10 minutes, with Chris Millar denied by the keeper in the first attack and Dave Mackay’s sweeping strike hoofed off the line by Aluko while fans were still taking their seats.

But after falling behind to a chaotic 15th minute goal, Saints were devoid of dash and devilment before the break.

Aberdeen’s strike was messy, with Mackay alleging skulduggery as keeper Graeme Smith touched a Grassi header into the bar.

Kerr’s follow-up was heading for the net but Steven MacLean risked an offside verdict to help it on its way.

Before half-time Danny Grainger and Graeme Smith watched transfixed as a ball dropped out of the sky and MacLean’s volley clattered the crossbar.

Kevin Rutkiewicz donned the skipper’s armband for his first appearance for five months and, inevitably, he took time to shed the ring-rust.

But three minutes after the break the defender glanced a Grainger corner goalwards only for Aluko to again bar the way on the line.

Right-back Gary Irvine perked-up in the second half and two crosses whipped in from the right wing found subs Kenny Deuchar and Jackson getting in headers to work the keeper.

But once more Saints proved they are nothing if not durable and with time running out they secured an equaliser, and almost nicked a winner.

Another sub, Liam Craig, swept a superb 20-yard free-kick round the wall and while Nelson adjusted, dropping to his right to palm aside the shot, Jackson was lurking.

It wasn’t the most clinical of strikes but it ended up in the net. Unfortunately for Jacko the ESPN team credited Nelson with the final touch and unwanted own goal. There was time for another assault but Murray Davidson’s header ripped past the wrong side of the post.

ST JOHNSTONE: Smith, Irvine, Grainger, Mackay, Rutkiewicz, Morris, Millar, Davidson, Morais (Deuchar 56), Sheridan (Jackson 71) and Samuel (Craig 83). Subs not used: Main, Anderson, Gartland and Sheerin.

ABERDEEN: Nelson, Foster, Ifil, Duff, Young, Marshall (Paton 69), Grassi, Kerr, McPean, Mackie and Aluko (Fyvie 67). Subs not used: Langfield, Robertson, Gibson, Shaugnessy and Hansson.

Referee: Dougie McDonald.