Birthday boy Damon wants back in the big time

Jul 9 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

FORMER Hibernian striker Damon Gray is hoping that Buddies boss Gus MacPherson will hand him the ideal 21st birthday present – another crack at the SPL.

Gray, who turns 21 on Saturday, is on trial at St Mirren as he bids to win himself a deal for the 2009/10 season.

The young hitman has been taking part in pre-season training with the Saints first team.

But, last night, MacPherson refused to speculate on the chances of the striker being handed a contract.

MacPherson said: “There is no time limit on how long Damon will be with us.

“It’s really just a case of ‘wait and see’.

“It’s also impossible to tell at this stage if he’ll be involved in pre-season games.

“But he has come in and he is enjoying training, as are all the players.”

Gray started his career with hometown club Newcastle United after joining them from Wallsend Boys Club, where Toon legend Alan Shearer also started out.

However, he was unable to win a professional contract at St James Park.

Gray headed north to Hibernian, where he had a two-year spell, during which he scored almost 40 goals for the Easter Road club’s under-19 and reserve teams.

He made his first team debut for Hibs at Hampden against Dunfermline in a Scottish Cup semi-final.

And the striker went on to make five appearances in all.

He scored his only goal for the top team in a 2-2 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

The Geordie striker also had two loan spells with Partick Thistle.

During this run he made 25 appearances and scored seven goals.

He was freed by Hibs at the end of last season.

But now he hopes he can impress MacPherson and earn himself another chance to make an impact in the SPL.

MacPherson revealed that he’s already done his homework on the young striker.

He said: “We know who Damon is.

“We’re having a look at him and we we’ll take it from there.”

Gray is understood to be one of three trialists who have joined St Mirren for pre-season training in the hope of winning themselves a contract.

MacPherson will have the opportunity to run the rule over Gray – or his other trialists – in pre-season games next week, should he choose to do so.

The Buddies will play their first pre-season game on Tuesday night against East Fife at New Bayview.

This is before they then tackle Dumbarton at the Strathclyde Homes Stadium next Thursday.

After that, Saints will be travelling down to Ayrshire to take on Ayr United at Somerset Park on Saturday, July 18.