Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Smith a big fan of Saint Alston
ALEX Smith is one of the most-respected figures in Scottish football.
He has been in the senior Scottish game since he signed as a player f or Kilmarnock in 1958 and the clubs he has managed include Dundee United, Aberdeen and St Mirren, winning the Scottish and League Cups with the Dons and the Scottish Cup with St Mirren.
He’s seen many good youngsters and they include St Johnstone’s Blair Alston, a player he feels has a bright future.
Alex, now assisting team boss Peter Houston at Falkirk, helped Fifer Alston develop during the time the midfield man played for the Bairns.
Alex said: “Blair was at Falkirk since he was around 10 years old.
“He played a huge number of games for the Bairns and scored some crucial, and fantastic goals. His goals were always good ones and some of them came in big games.
“He left us to sign for St Johnstone last year and will prosper there.
“Blair was a tremendous player for Falkirk and will be a real asset for Saints.
“He can play in a number of positions and he is such a hard working player.
“A great type and a good trainer, he has a decent future ahead of him.”
Alston is still suffering from a niggling injury and is unlikely to be in the Saints squad to face Dundee at Dens Park on Saturday.
Murray Davidson may also be missing due to illness.
Meanwhile, Saints lost for the first time this season in the Development League when Falkirk won 1-0 at McDiarmid Park.
Saints fielded Zander Clark and Graham Cummins but lost to an Ally Gilchrist an own goal.