Saints head to Ibrox for SPL clash

Aug 27 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DEREK McInnes faces an anxious wait before being able to announce his line-up to face champions Rangers in Glasgow.

And he revealed new Gers winger Vladimir Weiss was almost lured on loan to Perth last summer.

Midfielder Liam Craig is out with a hamstring injury, skipper Jody Morris is doubtful with a similar injury while keeper Peter Enckelman’s training has been restricted by a thigh injury and player of the year Dave Mackay looks likely to miss out again.

Throw three long-term injuries into the mix and it’s no wonder McInnes is prepared to give his latest casualties every chance to pass late fitness tests.

But he admits a short-term desire to field the strongest team possible at Ibrox has to be balanced by the longer term picture, with an international weekend looming which will buy time before the home clash with Motherwell.

“We have several key players doubtful. Obviously we want them in the team to play Rangers, but we also have to take the longer term situation into consideration. Peter, Jody and Dave should all be fit by the time the Motherwell game comes round. So we have to make sure any decision doesn’t jeopardise that. We have to weigh up the risk factor.”

Finnish keeper Enckelman has a slight thigh strain which is posing problems with his kicking.

But one-time Rangers keeper Graeme Smith is on stand-by for a return to Ibrox, after posting a clean sheet in the cup win over Morton.

McInnes stressed he would have no qualms about restoring last term’s number one to SPL action, stating: “It is good for Graeme working alongside a keeper with the experience of Peter. Any goalkeeper is well aware of the situation when they are competing with each other for one place.”

Back in March, Saints shocked Scottish football by inflicting a 4-1 thrashing on a team destined for the championship.

But McInnes has stressed that’s ancient history and tomorrow is what counts for his players.

He admitted the lure of playing at venues like Ibrox and Celtic Park was part of his sales pitch to new recruits over the summer.

“Players want to play on the big stages and this is a great platform and a great arena. It will be a real test for us but one that we should all relish. Hopefully we can put in the sort of performance which gives us a chance of coming home with a positive result.”

McInnes revealed that Rangers’ high profile loan signing from Manchester City, Slovak international Vladimir Weiss, had almost been a St Johnstone player.

The winger will start tomorrow after making an instant impression in last week’s win against Hibs.

McInnes, who was alerted to the youngster by former Chelsea keeper and then Eastlands assistant Eddie Niedzwiecki, said: “I know all about Weiss because we almost brought him here last summer.

“We went to see him in a few reserve games and City manager Mark Hughes had indicated he was keen to send him on loan to Scotland.

“I don’t know how much Vladimir knew about it but it was up in the air before City had a few injuries and decided to take him to South Africa for their pre-season tour.

“There were a lot of phone calls between us and Manchester City. But 12 months on, Rangers have got a better player because he has Premiership experience and played in the World Cup.

“We know about Vladimir but not much about Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic. We can’t afford to focus on any one threat as Rangers have various players who can hurt you.”

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