The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Former Saints star tipped to be Preston hit
Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough has backed former St Johnstone star Ali McCann to shine in the Championship following his deadline day move to Preston.
McCann took time out from preparations for tonight’s World Cup qualifier away to Lithuania to complete his move from Saints.
Baraclough, who managed McCann in the under-21s before handing him his senior international debut last year, has long tipped the 21-year-old to make the step up to a higher level and has no doubts he will make it a success.
“At every level he’s played at, he has done it with an assurance and a confidence in his own ability,” Baraclough said.
“He’s never looked out of place. I expect him to go into the Championship and do exactly that. He’s a great young prospect and I expect him to learn. He will learn at Preston and enhance his reputation.”
Baraclough said the transfer had a minimal impact on Northern Ireland as they work towards tonight’s qualifier, which already looks like a mustwin contest with only one point taken from their opening two Group C fixtures.
Northern Ireland’s own medical staff conducted the tests required for the deal, with McCann completing all the formalities from the team hotel.
“When we first joined up we had a conversation about how we would do it if a move was going to happen,” Baraclough added.
“We made the medical people aware, because obviously they would have to liaise with whatever club it might have been and I told him no one would be leaving the bubble.
“No one was going anywhere to sign for a club, it was all done from our hotel and that’s what happened and clearly Preston have been confident enough to rely on what our medical staff are seeing and I’m glad he was able to seal that move.”
McCann is in contention to start in Vilnius, particularly with Corry Evans among the players missing from the squad through injury, and Baraclough said he would approach the game with a spring in his step.
“You wouldn’t have thought – coming into this camp – that there was anything happening with Ali. He’s a very level-headed lad and I’ve known for a month or so something could happen,” he said.
“It took until right up to the deadline and finally something went through right on the deadline, but I’d known all day it could happen.
“Ali trained as normal that day and he’s been very level-headed and dealt with it great. He came down to breakfast this morning with a smile on his face.”
McCann admitted he is leaving a “great club” in St Johnstone but the opportunity to join Preston was too good to turn down.
Saints are understood to have received a fee of £1.2 million and the Northern Ireland international has joined his old captain Jason Kerr in heading across the border.
“It’s brilliant, it’s been such a long day today,” said McCann.
“I’m just buzzing to get it all sorted and get it over the line and I just can’t wait to get back and get in with the lads next week.
“St Johnstone are a great club. I’ve been there since I was young, so it was difficult leaving because they’ve done so much for me when I’ve been growing up, but an opportunity to move down to a club like this is just too much to pass up and I just can’t wait to get started.
“I try and do every part of the game. I try and put myself around, getting forward, getting back, getting involved.
“I put myself into tackles, pressing high, I also try and chip in with goals at the other end so hopefully I can do that and the fans will take to me which is what I’ll try and do.”
Preston head coach Frankie McAvoy was thrilled.
“It’s magnificent,” he said. “It’s a brilliant signing for Preston North End. He’s one of the best young players in Scotland.
“He’s done remarkably well playing at St Johnstone.”