Lomas counts down to home debut

Nov 25 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

STEVE LOMAS was impressed with top scorer Fran Sandaza’s appetite for the game against Rangers.

And yesterday the superstitious St Johnstone manager revealed he’s ready to adopt a “Come Dine With Me” philosophy to get the best out of his Spanish ace.

It might not pop-up in any coaching manual but the recently appointed Perth boss hopes he’s stumbled upon a recipe for success after savouring a point and a Michelin starred performance at Ibrox.

Lomas, who now wants his players to emulate the quality of that display in Glasgow against Hibs on his home debut tomorrow, revealed he and coach Tommy Wright cooked up a storm for Sandaza, his brother and a pal from Spain, along with neighbour Alan Mannus, before they headed for Govan.

And that will become a regular date in the diary if Saints go on a winning run.

Lomas laughed: “Fran did well last week and I want him to do that and a bit more against Hibs.

“I’ll tell him that in my dodgy Spanish. We have a little dinner party ritual going with me and Tommy. They came across to our place last week and I cooked them Cajun salmon. I wondered the next day if I might have poisoned them!

“Normally I like to have my salmon a little bit underdone but I gave it another 10 minutes to play it safe.

“I think we’ll play it even safer this time and go for chicken. We’ve got to keep it up after getting a good result against Rangers.

“And if Fran doesn’t maintain that sort of form he can expect the salmon again – but this time across his head!”

Skipper Jody Morris and striker Cillian Sheridan are the only two injury worries, with hamstring problems afflicting them both. Meanwhile, Scotland U19 defender Liam Caddis has been farmed out on loan to Arbroath to gain first team experience.

Lomas said: “We will give Jody and Cillian every chance to prove their fitness so that will be a late decision.”

The players have been basking in the glow of a rare point at Ibrox but he stressed: “It was a good point but to make it a great one we have to beat Hibs.

“We have four of our next five games at home, with the other game away to Hearts. But first and foremost the priority has to be three points against Hibs.

“This sort of game is our bread and butter against a team scrapping for their lives. With or without a new manager they are dangerous opponents because they will be keen to impress. We know they will be up for it.

“So we need to show the same mindset as we did for Rangers. As a player I knew the dangers of an ‘After the Lord Mayor’s Show’ type of thing so the challenge for the lads is to replicate the same intensity as last week.

“I know we have only won twice at home and we want that statistic to improve. We have taken points at tough places like Ibrox,Celtic Park and Fir Park. But we have to do the business in front of our fans. That’s what the lads will be judged on.

“We have to show we can also win at home but I already know the quality I have got here.”

Lomas has thrown down the gauntlet to Canadian striker Marcus Haber, stating: “He has all the tools in the box to become a top SPL player. It is all about his mindset and self-belief now because he has power, strength, pace and real quality.”

The manager has stressed everyone starts with a clean slate so midfielder David Robertson is cursing his ill-fortune after picking-up an injury in a bounce game against Celtic.

Lured by Derek McInnes from Dundee United over the summer, he has been unable to piece together an extended run.

He said: “I’m ready if wanted but after a result like that against Rangers I don’t suspect the manager will be contemplating too many changes.

“When a new manager comes in you obviously want to make an impression and he has fixed-up a few games. But I haven’t really had a chance to show him what I can do yet. I needed a scan after straining my medial ligament against Celtic and I’ve only just got back to training. It wasn’t good timing but the scan confirmed there was nothing serious, which was a huge relief.”

Robertson insisted he felt no bitterness towards McInnes for heading to Bristol City just months after bringing him to Perth.

“I was actually hoping there would be more interest in him and Tony Docherty because it would mean we were doing well in the SPL. You have to be realistic about these things.

“It was a great move for them going to England and I was delighted for them. It’s no surprise they are doing so well. Now we have a new gaffer and it’s up to me to impress him.”

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SAINTS are holding another Tayplay Family Day initiative tomorrow with an adult and two kids getting into the Ormond Stand for just £10. Tickets for this discounted admission have been distributed amongst a number of local schools locally and can also be picked up from the stadium and from Campus Sports.

Family season tickets holders in the East and West Stands can also access the Ormond Stand on Saturday if they wish.

*SAINTS will face Jim Weir’s Brechin City at home on January 7 in the William Hill Scottish Cup. It is a re-run of last season’s quarter final tie which required a replay before Saints advanced.

*HOSPITAL Radio Perth, which is run entirely by volunteers, is raising much-needed revenue with a pre-match bucket collection at McDiarmid. It has been broadcasting live home commentary of St Johnstone matches to patients at PRI and Murray Royal for the last 20 years. Each year volunteers need to raise funds through their own efforts to continue running the station. Visually impaired supporters also tune into the commentary at the stadium. For further information on the service see website hrperth.co.uk

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PICK-UP times for the Supporters Club match bus tomorrow are: Scone Wheel Inn car park 1.40, Scone Kinnears 1.45, Bridgend Strathmore Bar 1.50. Leaving Barossa Street at 1.30. Price £3 return and £2 single. Phone 01738 628391 to guarantee a seat.

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FORMER Saints favourite Paul Sheerin, who has landed a Scottish Cup home tie with Arbroath, was toasted by a lucky punter this week. The Red Lichties player-manager stroked home a stoppage time penalty to defeat Keith and landed a £132,000 windfall for a Scots gambler’s £1 wager on 18 results.

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ALLAN PRESTON and Alan Kernaghan are supporting the Perth Silent Auction. The former Saints stars have gifted signed Scotland and Rangers shirts. Both ex-players are taking part in a Muirton Suite event before tomorrow’s game along with Roddy Grant, Paul Kane and John O’Neil.