Weir hopes underdogs can cause an upset

To go into the last game of their Betfred Cup group as the only side with a chance of denying Premiership St Johnstone first place is an achievement itself.

And now Jim Weir’s Forfar men will give progression to the last 16 their best shot in today’s Station Park clash.

“The club finished bottom of their group last year,” said Weir. “So this year has already been an improvement.

“We played very well against Falkirk, not as well against East Fife but got a result, and now we’ve beaten a good Montrose side, and deserved to do it.

“We’re massive underdogs for this game.

“St Johnstone are an established Premiership side and they haven’t conceded a goal in their three games.

“We want to finish as high up the group as we can and if we could pull off a win, that would be amazing.”

Weir will “put out the strongest team available”, he said.

He added: “Andy Munro is suspended and Darren Whyte has a hamstring injury. Aitken and Kennedy are still out.

“We’ll have a young bench, probably with an average age of something like 17.

“In terms of senior players our squad is a wee bit light. The board have been really supportive in helping me bring in new players and they’ll support me again to get a couple more in.”

Weir was a McDiarmid Park hero and he is happy to see a player he had on loan at Elgin City, Liam Gordon, establishing himself with his old club.

“Liam deserves his chance,” he said. “He’s the latest young player to get an opportunity under Tommy (Wright) and he’s taken it. He’s a big lad, quick and can pass the ball. Now, he’s starting to be more vocal and organise a game as well.

“There’s no reason why he can’t keep the jersey at Saints.”

An ex-Saint Weir is hoping will have a big game this afternoon, and a big season, is Dylan Easton.

He said: “Dylan is a real matchwinner. He’s starting to produce for us and has certainly been catching the eye cutting in from the left.”

“Match-winner” Dylan Easton.