Sixy football is target for Perth gaffer
ST JOHNSTONE can snatch sixth place from St Mirren’s clutches if results go their way tomorrow.
Callum Davidson’s side need to beat Ross County and hope the Buddies crash and burn at Hamilton.
The Perth boss said: “It is a little bit out of our own hands. But if you’d said three or four months ago we would win the League Cup and be challenging for the top six I’d have thought you were pulling my leg.
“We showed great character. It is always tough playing football at the bottom of the league under pressure.
“The lads have produced the goods, especially in the last couple of months.”
THE gloves are off... their retirement peg.
Washed, dried and ready for the call.
A call that never came in three decades of scrapping around the juniors and non-leagues, right enough.
But in extraordinary Covid times, and despite the fact this desperate keeper last kicked a competitive ball exactly two years ago, I’m ready. And free!
With the lower leagues finally returning to action tomorrow after 10 weeks of inaction since rising Covid cases put the kibosh on everything below the Championship clubs are going to need to get creative.
If they think the last two weeks have been frantic trying to get back up to speed for the restart, it’ll be nothing compared to the next five.
At best some sides face squeezing in eight games in 35 days.
At worst some could have 13 including Scottish Cup ties.
But do you know what? Every player I’ve spoken to across League One and Two would absolutely have this manic month over the alternative of remaining stuck in the house all green-eyed as they watch the big boys play out their campaigns.
Fans are the same, even if they’re reduced to seeing their side play on laptop streams.
Coaches and managers? They’re understandably more concerned at what lies ahead.
The physiological danger to joints and muscles over the next month or so are obvious. Care is top priority for playing squads while honesty from those putting their bodies on the line will be essential.
It’s not entirely new at this time of year. Take Airdrie keeper Max Currie for instance.
The part-time keeper and full-time joiner admits he is used to midweek jaunts to Elgin or Peterhead and returning just in time to catch a few hours’ shut-eye before clocking on for his shift.
Plane sailing? It never has been but he hit the nail on the head when he says the alternative of scrapping the season would be a hammer blow.
Midweek training will be replaced by rest and recovery sessions – again what’s not to like for players? – while part-time squads will be stretched to the absolute max.
Managers, some with squads barely touching 20, are going to have to call in all their contacts in the weeks ahead.
And there’s an obvious starting point.
The West of Scotland League was
At worst, some clubs could have 13 games, including Cup ties, in 35 days
null and voided this week, as was the east region of the juniors. With testing the prerequisite for restarting there was no chance these leagues were going to get the green light any time soon.
But there’s a wealth of talent itching for a kick and, with a bit of wheeling and dealing, temporary agreements should work as a win-win.
Players who have been in limbo since the turn of the year are itching for a chance to play, even just train.
If Albion Rovers want a back-up to the back-up keeper then give me a call – I’ll pay them!
It’s not ideal and it’s not normal – but what has been routine in the last year? So enough of the ‘can’t do’ negativity.
CRAIG GORDON claims Allan McGregor’s save against Slavia Prague has reinforced his desire to play at the highest level for as long as he can.
The Hearts keeper got in touch with his 39-year-old Rangers counterpart after McGregor kept out Lukas Masopust’s header in the 1-1 Europa League draw.
And Gordon, who turned 38 in December, said: “It was an incredible save. I texted him afterwards just to ask him how he managed to keep that out and even he didn’t know.
“It was an incredible save, one I was watching on TV and that had to be seen to be believed.
“He’s 39 and that gives me motivation to keep going and keep performing at the highest possible level.”
Gordon hopes he is back going head-to-head with McGregor next season, with Hearts on course to win the Championship.
He added: “He’s had a fabulous career and let’s hope he’s not quite finished yet. I would love to see him play for another year and have another few games against him next season.”
Hearts will be without Liam Boyce and Michael Smith for two games after they were named in the Northern Ireland squad.
Steven Davis, Conor Hazard, Niall McGinn, Matty Kennedy, Kyle Lafferty and Ali McCann are the other Scots-based players selected for games against Italy, USA and Bulgaria.
SIR ALEX FERGUSON has thrown his weight behind Derek McInnes’ bid to bounce back in the game by offering to give the axed Aberdeen boss a reference.
McInnes left Pittodrie last week after eight years in charge, with chairman Dave Cormack saying he needed to freshen things up. But Manchester United and Dons legend Ferguson, above, who ruled over the Old Firm and