Young Saint in spotlight

Jan 28 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

STEVIE May recently told PA Sport he’d have to be patient for his first start in the SPL.

But the Newburgh 18-year-old, who was first spotted at the community soccer schools at McDiarmid, was warned by manager Derek McInnes that his chance would come sooner rather than later.

McInnes was true to his word and just two weeks after impressing from the bench against Hearts at Tynecastle in a memorable Scottish Cup win, the home-grown kid started in a 1-0 win over Motherwell which boosted Perth prospects of pressing for the top six.

It was an impressive debut and May, nicknamed Puyol in the McDiarmid dressing room because of his unruly hairstyle, is set to play an important role during the second half of the campaign.

The striker’s sprung-sofa coiffure catches the eye and he isn’t planning a trip to the barber anytime soon.

May said: “I have been getting spotted in the street every now and again. I suppose the hair gets noticed, because everyone knows me for that.

“The boys try to give me stick for it. They call me Puyol or a Colombian striker. That's all part of the banter. It's good fun. The hair is staying for now but it might need a wee trim.

“I haven't always had it this long and this is the first time I've grown it this length. It used to always be short but I've grown it for a few years now. I just couldn't be bothered getting it cut, so I left it.”

But it’s May’s feet rather than flowing locks which prompted McInnes to blood him against the Steelmen.

The manager reminded the media that May had made a scoring debut for Saints at the age of 16 against Airdrie.

The striker yesterday revealed his manager kept him out of the loop until late on Wednesday so he wasn’t spooked.

“I only found out I was playing 10 or 15 minutes before we went into the dressing-room for the team talk. I was delighted to get the start.

“It was probably better for me that way. If I'd known the night before, I probably wouldn't have got any sleep. It was great to be involved from the start and get a taste of it.

“Before the game, everyone encouraged me, especially experienced players like Jody Morris and Michael Duberry. They helped me all the way.”

Sir Alex Ferguson has gone 150-odd games without naming the same team back-to-back and McInnes has a reputation for tweaking line-ups, depending on the opposition.

May said: “It would be great to start against Hearts. I want to play as much as I can.

“A loan was a possibility early in the season but I'd rather be here, getting a game if I can. Now that I'm involved more, it's brilliant.

“I'm a St Johnstone fan. I've been following them ever since I came to the club as a young boy. I've been here for seven or eight years now and I took to the club straight away.

“I started with the St Johnstone community academy when I was about nine and then I played boys' club and here at the same time.

“I used to come and watch games every now and again – usually the bigger games like the semi-finals at Hampden.”

But now the talented teenager is getting a whole lot closer to the action.