Saints ace could yet feature in Lithuania

ST JOHNSTONE: MacLean not yet ruled out of crunch Europa League clash

The door hasn’t been completely shut on Steven MacLean playing for St Johnstone in Lithuania, manager Tommy Wright revealed yesterday.

It has become standard practice that the Perth forward sits out matches on artificial pitches in recent seasons, as a result of knee injuries he has suffered.

Europa League first qualifying round opponents FK Trakai play on plastic so it was presumed, despite the player putting his hand up for selection in the return leg as usual, manager Tommy Wright wouldn’t entertain the idea.

But the Perth boss will be seeking fresh medical advice before coming to a conclusion on whether the former Aberdeen and Rangers man will be left at home when the rest of the squad fly out to Vilnius tomorrow morning. “I’ll be taking 23 players over,” he said. “MacLean is champing at the bit and is desperate to play.”

Wright continued: “But there is a bigger picture. There is a reason why he doesn’t play on plastic pitches and that reason hasn’t gone away.

“If next week was the first league game of the season at Kilmarnock, then he wouldn’t be playing.

“The player obviously wants to take the risk but it will be my decision and my decision only.

“At the minute I see no reason, until I get medical opinion, that it wouldn’t be a risk for MacLean to play.

“He has to remember that he is 34 and if something was to happen to his knee now then you’re practically ending someone’s career.

“We have a couple of knocks which concern us with Easton and Paton. So there might be a seat for MacLean.

“I’ve asked for more medical opinion and I’m waiting on that.”