McGinn predicts threat from SPL new boys

Jun 13 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN midfielder Stephen McGinn last night warned his Buddies that SPL new boys St Johnstone will be no pushovers when they rejoin Scottish football’s top flight next season.

McGinn is still smarting over the way the Buddies were dumped out of the Scottish Cup by the Perth Saints in a sixth round replay in March last year, which was their last encounter with Derek McInnes’ side.

The 20-year-old midfielder was in the St Mirren team that shipped three first half goals to the McDiarmid Park outfit during that bitterly disappointing 3-1 defeat at Love Street.

Since then, the Perth club has steadily grown stronger and will now take their place among Scottish football’s elite clubs next season after winning the First Division title.

And McGinn, pictured below, insists the Buddies must be wary of the SPL newcomers in the forthcoming campaign.

He said: “We can’t afford to be disrespectful of any club coming up from the First Division.

“In the Scottish Cup a year ago, they turned us over at Love Street and we know how strong a team they are. Since then, they’ve got even better and stronger.”

Last season’s SPL new boys were Hamilton Accies and, despite going through a sticky patch, Billy Reid’s side eventually climbed their way to a ninth place finish.

McGinn believes St Johnstone could prove to be equally capable of coming up and staying up.

He said: “Next season’s league campaign is going to be as tough as it was last season and we’ll need to be on our toes if we want to push on and finish as high up the table as possible.”

McGinn reckons the target for the Buddies next season will not just be to survive but to target the top six of the SPL.

He added: “We were disappointed to end up in the position we did last season but it’s all about trying to improve and take the club further next season.”