SAINTS AIM TO TIE UP McKENZIE AND SWANSON

ST JOHNSTONE boss Tommy Wright is closing in on a pre-contract deal for Kilmarnock winger Rory McKenzie. And he is also looking to lure Danny Swanson back from Hibernian for a third spell at the club. Wright, whose team return to action after the winter break with a trip to League One Albion Rovers in the William Hill Scottish Cup on Saturday, is a long-time admirer of former Scotland Under-21 international McKenzie (right). It’s understood talks to take the 24-year-old to Perth in the summer are at an advanced stage. If the deal is done, Saints will sound out Killie boss Steve Clarke about the possibility of letting McKenzie go before the January transfer window closes. The winger emerged from the Rugby Park youth system and has clocked up more than 150 appearances for the Ayrshire side. He has featured in 19 matches this term, scoring two goals. Wright is also keen on a reunion with Hibs’ out-offavour wide man Swanson just months after St Johnstone’s player of the season and top scorer joined his boyhood heroes in Leith. With Michael O’Halloran having already returned to Rangers after his short-term loan spell, Swanson has been targeted to fill the void with a temporary switch through to the summer. Swanson, 31, and Hibs team-mates Anthony Stokes and Martin Boyle fell foul of manager Neil Lennon last week for breaking a curfew during the club’s recent trip to the Algarve. Wright, who threw Swanson a lifeline after an ill-fated move to Hearts, is now keen to hook up with him again. Meanwhile, new Perth striker David McMillan is hoping to kick off his Saints career in Saturday’s fourth-round cup tie at Cliftonhill. The former Dundalk forward said: ‘We’ll have to see what the manager decides but Saturday would be a good opportunity to get minutes under my belt. ‘I made three cup finals back in Ireland, winning one of them. Whatever country you are in, the cup is a tough competition to win. Everyone wants to do well. ‘It’s an exciting prospect being involved in the Scottish Cup. It would be a good one to get my first taste of Scottish football.’

ST JOHNSTONE have freed 22-year-old winger Craig Thomson, who had loan spells with Elgin City and Stranraer.