Gus: We’re still talking over deals

Jun 11 2009 Paisley Daily Express

BUDDIES boss Gus MacPherson last night revealed that talks with St Mirren’s out-of-contract stars are continuing.

Defenders Will Haining and Marc McAusland, midfielder Gary Mason and striker Craig Dargo are all free to leave the Paisley club this summer under freedom of contract.

New deals have already been agreed with Saints stars Garry Brady and Stephen O’Donnell, who had also reached the end of their contracts.

But Jim Hamilton has left St Mirren Park after being told his services are no longer required.

Now further talks are taking place with players as MacPherson shapes his squad ahead of the 2009/10 campaign.

He told Express Sports: “There is work going on behind the scenes but these things take time.

“When a player is out of contract, it’s his prerogative to consider all of the options open to him and we respect that.”

Both Brady, 32, and O’Donnell, 25, have penned new one-year contracts which tie them to St Mirren until the summer of 2010.

And MacPherson has also recruited former Aberdeen defender Lee Mair on a two-year contract.

Meanwhile, MacPherson believes the decision to stage St Mirren’s Co-operative Insurance League Cup first round trip to East Stirlingshire on Sunday, August 2, may prove to be a blessing in disguise.

The match will not take place on Saturday, August 1, as East Stirling currently groundshare with Stenhousemuir, who will play their home tie against SPL new boys St Johnstone on that date.

As Ochilview is Stenny’s permanent home, while East Stirling are merely tenants, Saints have been told to play their game on the Sunday.

And this means the Buddies will have an extra 24 hours to recover from their exertions in the Renfrewshire Cup Final showdown with Morton, which takes place on Tuesday, July 28.

MacPherson said: “The fact that we have to play East Stirling on the Sunday, rather than the Saturday, won’t change our preparations.”