Easton out to stop old boss’s momentum

Saints defender enjoyed working with Coyle but hopes to stall Staggies’ progress

Brian Easton was convinced that his old Burnley manager Owen Coyle would have an instant impact at Ross County.

But the St Johnstone defender is determined to stop his upward momentum at McDiarmid Park this evening.

Steven Anderson is the only Perth survivor from the Coyle era at Saints but Easton knows all about his attributes from their time together at Turf Moor.

“Owen Coyle was great and he was a real man manager,” said the full-back. “He was excellent and I’m sure anyone who has worked with him will say that.

“Even when guys weren’t playing he had a way of keeping them enthusiastic and their spirits up. He also got the most out of the boys who were playing.

“When he got the job I thought it was good for Ross County. They have good players up there and I think Coyle will get the best out of them.

“He has had a few jobs down in England with big clubs. I’m not sure what he was like elsewhere but he was great at Burnley. All of the boys thoroughly enjoyed working with him.

“I think it is good for Scottish football because he is a manager of high calibre.

“I’m not sure how long he was out of a job but you knew that he would be wanting to get back amongst it.

“He has always loved being a manager and getting involved with training. He never lost it from when he was a player.

“Ross County have a good squad and Coyle will get a lot out of them. I’m sure he will know the strength of this league now and the job he has on his hands.

“The league is so competitive and games are won and lost on very fine lines.”

After three defeats and three games without a goal, Saints are hoping to rediscover their “killer instinct”, according to Easton.

“Barring the Aberdeen game at Pittodrie, where we were terrible, we have been playing well,” he said.

“Until the sending off against Rangers we were right in it. Then against Hearts on Saturday, it was a fortunate goal from them with the deflection. It was a game with few chances.

“We were giving away cheap goals, which you can’t do. It’s not worrying us too much because we’re sure it will turn.

“With the start we had, the recent run has been a bit disappointing because it would have been great to build on it.

“We’re still in a strong position, but it could have been even stronger.

“I’ve been places where results and performances weren’t going our way. That is when you start worrying.

“But we’ve had a tough run of games and, apart from Aberdeen, our performances have not been too bad.

“We’ve been lacking a killer instinct in the last third or being resolute enough at the back.

“Hopefully we can turn it around against Ross County.”

Ross County have a good squad and Coyle will get a lot out of them. BRIAN EASTON

Picture: SNS. Brian Easton: believes his former boss at Burnley will get the best out of his squad.