It’s right up our Ali if scouts are on prowl
PREMIERSHIP LATEST Craig says star kid McCann’s displays deserve attention
LIAM CrAIg reckons St Johnstone would be disappointed if Ali McCann wasn’t already on the radar of bigger teams.
The young midfielder, 20, has made massive strides since establishing himself in Tommy Wright’s first team this season.
McCann also scored the winner at Aberdeen to make it three goals in four games and to add to his growing reputation.
Fellow midfielder Craig said: “If you are that age and dictating games as well as he is, then clubs are going to take notice.
“The club would probably be disappointed if people weren’t looking at Ali because he is doing so well.
“It isn’t easy to come to Aberdeen or play against Hearts but he is taking it in his stride.
“And it’s not easy to find midfielders who score goals.
“Whoever Ali chooses to play for, whoever wants him to play for them, because of the person he is nothing will faze him.
“The big thing for him is he is grounded. You never hear him in the changing room. He just goes about his business.
“Anything he does go onto achieve, he deserves.
Craig is also happy to see homegrown talent come through.
He said: “For boys like myself and Murray Davidson, to see someone like Ali come through the youth system and do so well is brilliant for the club.
“Ali is full of energy and has been since he started training with the first team.
“He’s getting the rewards now for his hard work. He is getting in the box and goals. His finish on Wednesday was nearly as good as the pass.
“It was brilliant for him. It makes my job a lot easier when he is making those type of runs.
“As disappointing as the first game of the season was, it was evident he was ready to play at this level. He is going from strength to strength.”
After a slow start Saints are closing in on the top six and Craig knows there is real belief within his team. He said: “After getting the goal early on, we enjoyed defending the rest of the game.
“I’ve been at the club with some out and out defenders like Steven Anderson, Frazer Wright and Dave Mackay.
“As the second half went on, it felt like playing with them again. That is in terms of what Jason Kerr and Jamie McCart were doing because it is how we always used to defend.
“It was brilliant to be a part of that. The second half we knew they were going to come at us. Everyone was putting themselves on the line to get three points.
“The biggest thing for us is holding on for the win after the disappointment of losing a late goal on Saturday against Hearts.”
Saints can now turn their thoughts to the Scottish Cup and Ayr tomorrow.
Veteran Craig added: “I wasn’t here when we won it – it would be nice to get a little bit further.”