Saints blow as target Shaw heads to Well

ERIC NICOLSON

St Johnstone loan target Liam Shaw has joined Motherwell until the end of the season.

The Perth club were one of the clubs interested in recruiting the 20-yearold on a short term deal after Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou decided his summer signing needed regular first-team football.

But it is the Fir Park side who have snapped up the former Sheffield Wednesday man.

Callum Davidson has other irons in the fire as far as the final piece in his midfield jigsaw is concerned.

An energetic ball-winner is the Saints manager’s next priority.

And he will be content that his number one choices for centre-half (Dan Cleary), left-back (Tony Gallacher) and striker (Nadir Ciftci) were all secured.

Meanwhile, keeper Zander Clark is reportedly on Dundee United’s radar as a potential replacement for Benjamin Siegrist, should the Swiss star leave Tannadice in the summer.

Courier Sport understands the St Johnstone goalkeeper will be at the top of the Tangerines’ wish list for next season.

United won’t have a clear run, though, given Clark will be a free agent and is attracting interest from Aberdeen and down south.

Tam Courts’ side yesterday signed Finland international goalkeeper Carljohan Eriksson, so Clark staying with Saints can’t be completely ruled out, as there is an offer still sitting on the table to make the Scotland squad man one of the highest paid players in their history.

But the Perth club know that the odds are stacked against them and they expect the double cup-winner to leave when his contract runs down.

Cashing in on Clark in this window isn’t an option given Saints’ Premiership predicament and the fact the 29-year-old has been Callum Davidson’s best player so far this season.

Clark, and his agent Jackie Mcnamara, will now have to weigh up whether it is in his best interests to wait until the summer when options may increase yet further or to sign a pre-contract. And if United do make their interest official it would effectively be confirmation that the clock is ticking on Siegrist’s Tannadice career.

Clark last spoke about his contract situation a month ago.

“That (contract talks) is all going on in the background,” he said. “I let other people deal with it and I just focus on what I need to do.

“I just try to put in good performances and help get points on board for the team.

“That is enough for me. It’s not at the forefront of my mind. I will find out when anything happens.

“I am still a St Johnstone player and my full focus is on doing the best I can for this club.”

LOAN CELT: Liam Shaw – a January transfer target for Callum Davidson – has joined Motherwell on loan.