Scotland’s World Cup call will hit Saints.
By: Ian Roache.[/size]
St Johnstone striker Jason Scotland will jet off to Trinidad following Saturday’s home match against Airdrie United with the best wishes of his manager and colleagues ringing in his ears.
Scotland has been called up by his country for the World Cup two-leg play-off against Bahrain, with the prospect of playing in Germany next summer looming large.
While Saints boss Owen Coyle is disappointed at losing him for the league match against Dundee a week on Saturday, hopes are high at the club that one of their own will win through to the finals.
“Jason will be available for the Airdrie game, but the Trinidad and Tobago FA have been in touch and want him to fly out the following day,†said manager Owen Coyle.
“It is a big blow for us that he is missing the Tayside derby, but we will all wish him well.â€
Dundee’s Kelvin Jack is in the Trinidad and Tobago squad too—Dundee United’s Collin Samuel is on stand-by—and will also be counted out of the derby as well as the Dark Blues’ re-arranged fixture with Hamilton the following Tuesday.
Saturday’s clash at McDiarmid Park will pit Coyle against a side that has been close to his heart over the years.
But he is just concerned with making sure Saints perform against an Airdrie team that hammered Dundee last weekend.
“I know the Airdrie boys really well and have a few close friends there,†he said.
“I am well aware how difficult this game may be and they are capable of beating any team in the division on their day.
“But we have to get back to doing the good things we did in the games here against Brechin and Hamilton.â€
Meanwhile, midfielder Neil Janczyk has been sidelined again, this time by a flu-type virus.
On a more positive note, Mark Campbell and Scott Paterson will both play in a closed- door game today and Darren Sheridan’s foot knock is responding to treatment.
