Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Future bright for young Saint Ally
ST JOHNSTONE have gained a good reputation down through the years for bringing on young players and Development squad manager Alex Cleland is happy with the way midfield man Alistair McCann i s coming on.
T h e yo u n g s t e r, w h o skippers the Development team, has made one appearance for the top team, coming on as a substitute i n t he away Scottish Cup victory over Albion Rovers — and more could be in the offing.
Alex said: “I’ve been very p l e a s e d w i t h A l l y ’s development hence the reason he has moved up to the first team and is training with them.
“Manager Tommy Wright, No 2 Callum Davidson and myself have been delighted with his performance levels in the Development side, which has won him promotion i nto the first team.
“He again played well in this week’s 3-2 home Development League win against Kilmarnock.
“He is training with the first team and is getting better.
“Ally can’t quite class himself as a first-team player yet until he has played 30-40 games for them.
“Having the likes of Liam Gordon, Aaron Comrie, Kyle McClean and Mark Hurst involved with the first team, it is important they come back down to the Development squad and play games to get their level of fitness up in case they are needed again for the first team.
“I thought their attitude in the Development victory over Kilmarnock was brilliant, especially Liam Gordon who was excellent.
“He showed the manager, Callum and myself he is ready, as did Aaron, Ally and Kyle.
“And there could be more good lads to come.”