McCann ready for Rangers after rising to Perth prominence

HE was blooded and bloodied from the bench in a 7-0 openingday defeat from Celtic.

But St Johnstone kid Ali McCann did enough to impress manager Tommy Wright, and the mobile 19-year-old midfielder has been given a run in the Perth engine room.

McCann, who was farmed out to Stranraer last term to toughen up, is now ready for his toughest test yet tomorrow against European trailblazers Rangers.

On-loan Ibrox man Jason Holt can’t feature and Liam Craig is out for three weeks with a groin injury. But breakthrough star McCann would have started anyway.

“I have been here since I was 15 and it has been great to get first-team games under my belt,” he admitted.

“I got my chance in the second half against Celtic and I have been fortunate enough to keep my place in the side so far.

“I wouldn’t say I enjoyed that game at Celtic Park because of the result. We were 3-0 down at the time and I just tried to put myself about a bit.

“I didn’t know I was going on until about two minutes before the re-start.

“Maybe that was a good thing. I didn’t have time to think about it and I didn’t have much to lose. And luckily I got a start the next week.”

McCann’s energy and range of passing has delighted Wright.

“I wouldn’t have expected to be getting a run of games like this at the start of the season if I am being honest,” admitted McCann.

“It’s Rangers next and it’s live on TV. It will be my biggest game yet if I get picked to start.

“I don’t really think about the TV or the size of crowd. It’s not something that intimidates me.

“I will just get on with my usual approach and not let it faze me, just like I did on loan at Stranraer.

“We obviously want a different result from the one against

Celtic. And we feel we are a better team now.

“The new faces coming in have lifted everyone and performances like the one at Aberdeen builds belief.”

McCann’s performances have attracted the attention of Northern Ireland Under-20s, joining brother and Dunfermline youngster Lewis.

He said: “It was good to get away with Northern Ireland and get a foot in the door. Hopefully I will get called up again.

“Following on from my brother Lewis was a proud moment for my dad, who comes from Portadown.

“When Northern Ireland showed interest and said they wanted me I decided right away to go for it.”