Transfer window business at McDiarmid?

Jan 4 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

DEREK McINNES admits he’ll have to move out players if he’s to follow-up on various signing targets during the transfer window.

He celebrated a fine start to the New Year with a Sabbath win against Inverness Caley Thistle and at the half-way stage Saints are well-placed to make a push for the top six spot which narrowly evaded them last term.

Yesterday McInnes, who took in St Mirren’s clash with Kilmarnock, said: “We do have targets that we’d like to bring in on the premise that we can free-up some space. If that doesn’t happen I suspect we won’t be doing any business.

“Obviously the window provides a chance to freshen things up at the half-way stage. But the chairman, Geoff Brown, has run this club brilliantly for many years and when he says we have to cut the numbers then we listen to him. But it would be good to bring in a player or two.”

The manager has both loan and longer term signing targets on his list.

And with Jeno Myrie-Williams and Martin Hardie released, and Stevie Milne and Scott Dobie told to seek new clubs, January sales will have a bearing on the club’s purchasing power.

McInnes continues to be strongly linked with the vacant Burnley post but St Johnstone have had no approach from the Turf Moor club.

The manager was more concerned with welcoming three home points to delight fans denied a McDiarmid match for seven weeks – secured against an Inverness side which had not lost on the road for more than a year.

McInnes said: “We are at the half-way stage but there has been an imbalance in the fixtures. We have had three home games postponed.

“We have shown we can compete and pick-up points away from home and after some disappointing results in Perth it was important to get a win at McDiarmid.

“It was no more than the players deserved. They were never anxious and refused to settle for a point. And as a manager I have to be pleased with another clean sheet. I don’t think we had a failure against Caley Thistle.

“Dave Mackay was our player of the year last season and he has been top drawer again in recent games. A few of the lads have had a stop-start season and hopefully they can now kick-on.”

McInnes is full of admiration for the work and ethos promoted by Inverness manager Terry Butcher in the Highland capital.

“They are positive and full of enthusiasm and spirit. That is also a huge part of our make-up,” he said.

The Saints boss is hoping that the late winner will kick-start Collin Samuel’s season.

“Sammy had three opportunities and scored once coming off the bench. For us to continue improving we have to be more clinical individually and as a unit. If we can get someone scoring on a regular basis it will ease any tension.

“At time we can get hung up on it but goals are important for any striker. They do have an extra responsibility. But others also have to come up with them. I still believe we have strikers here who are genuine scorers.”

TWO of the home games postponed during the freeze have been re-arranged. Saints face Hamilton on February 1 at 7.45pm and Dundee United on February 22. A date is awaited for the Rangers match. Fans are reminded that the Scottish Cup game with Hearts now takes place this Sunday at 3pm. Tickets can be bought this week at McDiarmid Park during office hours.