The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Winger likely to be top of Saints shopping list
St Johnstone fans can expect Steven MacLean to be a busy man in the transfer market this summer.
A goalkeeper to compete with Ross Sinclair, a centreback, a striker and a wide forward are all likely areas in need of the Saints manager’s attention.
Full-back and central midfield may well also be added to the list depending how contract negotiations progress with Melker Hallberg and James Brown and if the new Celtic manager doesn’t allow Adam Montgomery to return to Perth.
Courier Sport examines the winger position and a few potential options for that slot.
Matty Kennedy
This one would make sense for plenty of reasons.
St Johnstone do like to bring back a former player (and Callum Davidson was linked with a move for Kennedy when he was in charge).
Sentimental attraction aside, football-wise the return to McDiarmid of the man they sold to Aberdeen also stacks up in a way somebody like Gary Mackay-Steven, another free agent, does not.
He is versatile and still has the energy at the age of 28 for the full-throttle style of football the new Saints boss wants to see.
Scott Tiffoney
The former Livingston man, aged 23, has been one of the stars of Partick Thistle’s promotion push.
He has scored 12 goals, three of those in the playoffs, and has the ability to make a defender look foolish in a one v one battle.
This time last year, Ian McCall described Tiffoney as “absolutely dynamite” and put a £200,000 price tag on his head.
There’s no price tag now though, with Thistle vulnerable to top-flight clubs taking advantage of his free-agent status.
Jay Henderson
Like Tiffoney, Henderson has been a star-turn in the Championship, albeit for a shorter time.
The 21-year-old’s six-month loan from St Mirren has been a resounding success.
In a wide-right role, he has been one of Inverness Caley Thistle’s best players and showcased his crossing ability with a superb assist for Billy Mckay in the Scottish Cup semi-final victory over Falkirk.
Henderson is out of contract in Paisley.
The Perth Saints would need to pay a development fee if they decide to pursue Henderson.
Callumn Morrison
If Saints are willing to splash out on a development payment, what about stretching to a small transfer fee for Falkirk?
Morrison has a big-club pedigree (Hearts), has played for his country at youth level and is building up his game time in the lower leagues.
Lightning quick, with a goal record at Falkirk of nearly one every two games, the 23-year-old is frankly too good to be spending another season in League One.
Gwion Edwards
Another St Johnstone old boy, Edwards got his career going at McDiarmid Park on loan from Swansea City a full decade ago.
He establish himself as a consistent EFL Championship and League One performer.
Injury prevented Edwards, just turned 30, from making an impact on a recent loan with Ross County but several clubs down south have been linked following his Wigan Athletic release.
For Saints fans too young to remember the Welshman, he’s quick, direct and two-footed.
• Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has promoted former St Johnstone fans’ favourite Paul Sheerin to the role of assistant manager.
Sheerin was already on the backroom staff at Rugby Park – as he was at Aberdeen – and McInnes believes the one-time Arbroath head coach is the man to replace new Dundee manager Tony Docherty as his number two.