Perth stars opt to cancel Christmas

Dec 10 2010 by Iain Howie, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DEREK McInnes yesterday revealed his Perth players had cancelled Christmas to focus totally on their festive football.

Plans for a trip to Liverpool have been put on the back burner.

And the St Johnstone manager said the decision typified the professionalism shown by his players during a chaotic two week period since the draw away to Hibs.

With tomorrow’s SPL clash away to St Mirren under the microscope and being assessed by the Paisley club today, McInnes said: “The lads were due to have their traditional Christmas night out but they have decided to put it on hold because training has been interrupted.

“They will have it in January or February instead. It is the sensible thing to do with travel being so chaotic and it speaks volumes for their approach.

“Things may have been chaotic recently but no squad in the SPL will have done so much to keep up their fitness levels.

“Their attitude really has been different class. We have managed to get a mini pre-season into them on top of football work indoors at Toryglen.”

The St Johnstone squad hope to train together today on the McDiarmid Park astroturf after a major clearance operation.

If the plans fall into place it will be the first time the full Saints squad has gathered together since the draw at Easter Road in advance of the Big Chill.

McInnes said: “Hopefully the game does go ahead but it’s important that our fans are able to travel.

“We have had to be sensible with training because we have a responsibility to balance football demands with safety, especially when you are asking youngsters to travel.

“But we have tried to get the balance right and hopefully the lads will get their reward in the shape of three points if the game does go ahead.

“I live 10 minutes from St Mirren’s ground and the problem isn’t so much the pitch as the surrounding area. It’s like an ice rink. But a thaw is being forecast and that should help.

“We want the game on after picking-up four points away to Aberdeen and Hibs. But we don’t want to play without our fans being unable to travel.”

It’s shaping-up as another six-pointer and defender Dave Mackay and striker Peter MacDonald are both available again. Midfielder Jamie Adams is suspended and keeper Graeme Smith is still out of contention.

McInnes observed: “It is a big game but we have been doing well against teams around us in the table. We are raring to go and hopefully the frustration of not being able to play or train outdoors is reflected in a good performance out on the pitch.

“The lads are hungry and bursting to get going again. This will be our third away game in a row but four points from six, and two clean sheets, has given us something to build on.”

McInnes hasn’t forgotten Saints haven’t found the net in the SPL since Danny Grainger’s strike against Hamilton in October but he stressed: “First and foremost we had to be difficult to beat once more. Now we are looking for improvement at the top end. I have every confidence in this group of players.”

Mackay has been absent with a torn thigh muscle in recent weeks but he is ready to come out of cold storage.

And he’s hoping the efforts made by Perth players to maintain fitness levels is rewarded with a win in Paisley.

He said: “I live in Bathgate and we seem to have had the worst of the snow. I stay near Alan Maybury and I’m sick of the sight of him! We have been stuck in the car for hours at a time. And he hasn’t even been clearing my drive!

“That has been never ending. Travelling has been a nightmare. The M8 has been closed and that has caused massive problems. Everyone has tried to be sensible. The lads’ Christmas night out in Liverpool has even gone on hold.

“My fitness is fine and I’d love to be involved again this weekend. But after two clean sheets I might have to be patient. I don’t expect just to walk straight back in.

“St Mirren made a few changes over the summer and a few people expected them to struggle. But they have been picking-up points and are fighting for their lives. They have a few lads eager to prove themselves at the SPL level.

“It will be tough but we fancy ourselves for a win."