Holt labels McCann as ‘undroppable’ in breakthrough year
JASON HOLT has hailed Ali McCann as “undroppable” following his stunning breakthrough season for St Johnstone.
The Northern Ireland youngster, 20, burst onto the scene at McDiarmid Park this campaign, following a loan stint at Stranraer, and has been widely tipped to be in the running for the young player of the year award in Scotland.
Departing Saints manager Tommy Wright is adamant McCann should be in the running for the main player of the year award and midfield partner Holt is in full agreement.
Holt said: “I’m a big fan of Ali McCann. I think he has done exceptionally well this season and I’ve been really impressed.
“Since I went in he was definitely one of the players that I was really impressed with especially at such a young age. He got his place in the team at the start of the season and to keep it. It is testament to himself and the performances he has been putting in. He has been undroppable.
“He’s definitely got the potential to go on to bigger things. He has a great head on his shoulders and he is very down to earth.”
Holt, who is currently on loan in Perth from Rangers, is out of contract at Ibrox later this summer. And with the shock news at the weekend that Saints manager Wright has left his position, it remains to be seen whether Holt can strike a permanent deal at McDiarmid Park. Holt added: “I would love to go back to St Johnstone, they are a great club and I have really enjoyed my time there. I got on really well with the staff and the players, which is really important when you go to a new club. It was really easy for me to integrate.”
Meanwhile, McDiarmid Park legend Dave Mackay is in the running to become the next St Johnstone manager following Wright’s departure.
The 39-year-old is currently first-team coach at Dundee after joining James McPake’s backroom staff last summer.
St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown has reportedly made it clear he is in no rush to make an appointment. However, Dundee are braced for an approach when Brown does compile his shortlist of interview candidates.
Mackay cut his teeth in coaching with St Johnstone’s under-20 side and retains a positive relationship with Brown.
He would also immediately command the respect of former team-mates, and dressing room leaders, such as
Liam Craig, Murray Davidson, Stevie
May and David Wotherspoon.
After leaving Perth in 2016, Mackay went on to spend two years in charge of Stirling Albion, guiding the Binos to a League Two playoff position in the 2017/18 campaign.
Although he is thriving working alongside McPake at Dundee, it is understood the opportunity to return to St Johnstone, where he enjoys hero status, would be an attractive proposition for Mackay.
He was their club captain when the Saints lifted the 2014 Scottish Cup with a 2-0 triumph against Dundee United, their first ever piece of major silverware.
Mackay was inducted into the St Johnstone hall of fame last March after making 268 appearances in seven years and emerging as the bedrock of their most successful era of all time.