Cove boss Hartley has praise for young on loan Saint Robertson

YOUNG St Johnstone striker John Robertson is already proving his potential on loan at Cove.

The 17-year-old has just joined up with the League Two side and netted the winner in the 2-1 win at Brora to take Cove into the next round of the Tunnock’s Carmel Wafer Cup where they will face Connah’s Quay Nomads in Wales.

Cove boss Paul Hartley, himself a former Saints player, said of the youngster: “John came into the team and scored, which was terrific for him. He was clinical.

“He is only 17 but it was a great goal and he just wants to score.

“I’m really pleased for him to have scored his first senior goal. Hopefully, there’s many more to come.”

Robertson became the youngest player to take part in a Saints first-team game when he appeared as a second-half substitute against Dundee at Dens Park on April 21, 2018. He was only 16 at the time. He was signed from Tynecastle Boys’ Club, as was Jason Kerr.

Robbo i s one of five promising Saints out on loan.

The others are winger Euan O’Reilly, who is with Airdrie, left-back Marky Munro, who is at Stenhousemuir, and two players at Brechin City, keeper Ross Sinclair and forward Oliver Hamilton.

Saints believe all of them have bright futures with the same being said of two teenage strikers, Shaun Struthers and Jordan Northcott.

The latter has already played for the top team and Struthers recovered from a serious injury to be an unused substitute in Saturday’s 2-2 home divide against Livingston.

Manager Tommy Wright has faith in these young players who are all coming on very well.

He is looking to get more of his promising youngsters out on loan.

John Robertson (left) has impressed Paul Hartley.