Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Allan injury doubt for Saints clash
DUNDEE are sweating over the fitness of on-loan playmaker Scott Allan ahead of Saturday’s Premiership tie against St Johnstone.
The Dark Blues welcome an in-form Perth side to Dens Park but could be without Celtic loanee Allan as they seek their first league win of the season.
Midfielder Allan came off after 38 minutes in Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Rangers at Ibrox in what appeared, at first, to be a tactical change.
The 25-year-old, who almost made the switch to his boyhood heroes Rangers two years ago only to move to their Old Firm rivals, let the hostile Glasgow atmosphere get the better of him.
As frustrations grew, Allan seemed to exchange heated words with Jack Hendry and, as he exited play, with manager Neil McCann.
However, Neil insists that Allan was hooked early to avoid him aggravating a groin strain.
“I had to make a substitution because Scott’s been struggling a little bit,” Neil said.
“I felt he was just labouring and I don’t think you can afford to have a player that’s not 100% at Ibrox.
“Scott’s been struggling, he’s got a bit of a problem towards his groin area and he didn’t train for a couple of days last week so we just can’t carry anyone that’s not 100%.”
Saturday’s visitors St Johnstone go into the game unbeaten after five rounds of fixtures.
On-loan Rangers forward Michael O‘Halloran is the Premiership’s joint top scorer with five goals but, as Neil points out, Saints’ real strength is in defence.
“It’s a tough game for us on Saturday,” ex-Scotland winger Neil said.
“Tommy Wright has done a remarkable job at St Johnstone and they’re always well organised and structured.
“They’re hard to break down but it gives us another opportunity to get on now.”
Elsewhere on the injury front, Sofien Moussa made his comeback from a knee injury on Saturday.
The Tunisian forward completed the full 90 minutes but after the game Neil admitted the summer signing is still not fully match fit.
He said: “Moussa’s came back and I’ve forced him because I felt we needed a bit of physicality up top.
“He’s not had a lot of training and that’s something we need to cope with just now.”