McInnes’ future remains in the balance

Oct 14 2011 by Greg Christison, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

SPECULATION surrounding the future of St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes heightened yesterday.

Saints chairman Geoff Brown offered a cryptic message when asked if he had received an official approach from Bristol City for his manager, who is hotly tipped to fill the Championship club’s vacancy after the sacking of Keith Millen earlier this month.

Mr Brown failed to deny he had been contacted by his opposing number, City chairman, Colin Sexstone.

He told PA Sport yesterday: “At this stage I’ve got no comment to make because if I did it would only grow arms and legs.

“We know in the world of agents that people can be approached one way or another without coming through the club.

“At the moment Derek is going nowhere, but I’ve made clear that if somebody wanted him then a compensation package would have to be agreed.”

Brown’s comments follow media reports yesterday which suggest that McInnes and former Barnsley and Rotherham boss Mark Robins are topping Sextone’s shortlist.

It is understood that City directors could delay an official approach for McInnes until Robins’ situation becomes clearer, after he was interviewed for the Nottingham Forest job.

Remaining tight-lipped over the ongoing speculation, McInnes has his eyes firmly fixed on this weekend’s clash with Terry Butcher’s bottom of the table Inverness Caledonian Thistle side.

Admitting his players, who secured a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock in their last match, are keen to take to the field following the international break, the 40-year-old insisted the game will be “really tough”.

He said: “I think it’s important you go into an international break with a positive result, it always makes it that bit better.

“Obviously we’ve managed to get the win last time out and that sets us up for this one.

“I’ve got a feeling the boys are itching to go and try to continue the good work.

“We have a lot of optimism at the minute but that doesn’t come easily and we’ve got to keep working for it.

“Saturday presents us with a really tough game.

“Big Terry has always got his team well organised, well motivated and they’re coming off the back of a really positive result after beating St Mirren.

“So Saturday will be a really tough match.

“But at the same time, we want to take advantage of being at home and hopefully we can take the three points.”

And McInnes, who has watched his side’s impressive progression to joint-fourth in the SPL, is aware of the danger posed by Caley’s summer signing, Frenchman Gregory Tade.

He continued: “I think a lot of clubs had looked at him and you can see how he is relishing at playing in the SPL and it is refreshing to see that in a player.

“But it would be wrong to concentrate on one player.

“They have a mainstay of a few players that have done well under Terry and he has brought a few in as well and I expect a difficult match.”

The Saints’ boss will welcome midfield maestro Murray Davidson and defender Frazer Wright back into the fold for tomorrow’s 3pm kick-off.

But midfielder David Robertson remains doubtful, with strikers Sean Higgins and Sam Parkin still ruled out.

McInnes added: “Both Frazer and Murray have came through this week’s work and both will be involved in the squad all being well.

“It is a great boost to have them both back in.

“David Robertson is also feeling his hamstring from the Kilmarnock match, so he is a doubt for the game, but is likely to be available for Dundee United next Saturday.

“Sean Higgins has been doing a bit of running again and could be with us by the middle of next week.

“And Sam Parkin is still a couple of weeks away. He is doing a bit of extra work at the minute to try and get some strength back.”