Gleeson injury casts a shadow over Aberdeen preparations for Europa clash with Burnley
mind.butaknocksustainedby summer arrival Stephen Gleeson in yesterday’s testimonial matchforformerst Johnstone favourite Chris Millar has cast a cloud over his preparations.
The extent of the injury to former Ipswich Town midfielder Gleeson, pictured, will be assessed by the Pittodrie medical team.
“Stephen hurt his knee in the build-up to their goal and it doesn’t look good to be honest. But we’ll find out more tomorrow,” said Mcinnes, adding that striker Sam Cosgrove had picked up a calf knock.
“The main reason was Chris’ testimonial and we rejigged our schedule to make sure we were here. We don’t play for three weeks so we still have a bit to go but it was a decent enough game for a testimonial. Sometimes all the changes can upset the fluency but in spells there was some good play.”
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright said: “I thought we played extremely well. There are obviously things we need to work on.”
Millar, who made more than 300 appearances for Saints after being lured away from hometown team Morton ten years ago by then Saints manager Mcinnes, will be forever remembered for his part in the Perth club’s first Scottish Cup win, against Dundee United four years ago. Having returned to the Greenock club after leaving Mcdiarmid Park, he was given a 15-minute bow at a stadium which had been his workplace for the past decade.
The teams traded goals in the first eight minutes. One-time Dons full-back Richard Foster provided the cross for David Wotherspoon to fire Saints ahead in spectacular style from 12 yards with the visiting defenders guilty of giving him far too much space.
But their advantage lasted just three minutes as former Perth favourite Stevie May calmly finished off a finely weighted pass from former Hamilton youngster Lewis Ferguson.
The Dons seized a 28thminute lead when Scott Wright charged into the area before drilling a low shot far beyond keeper Zander Clark.
An entertaining contest saw Saints draw level in the 73rd with a fine finish from substitute Greg Hurst, before the teenager limped off to be replaced by Millar.