Gus: I’m glad call-up stars are home in one piece!

Nov 17 2009 by Andrew Newport, Paisley Daily Express

BUDDIES boss Gus MacPherson has thanked his lucky stars that Andy Dorman and Paul Gallacher returned from international duty unscathed.

The St Mirren boss was proud to see the duo head south to join up with their respective national sides for Saturday’s clash between Wales and Scotland.

But both players were left disappointed when they sat out the game from the substitutes’ bench.

MacPherson, however, is just pleased to see the pair return to Paisley fit and healthy.

Premiership clubs Chelsea and Arsenal have both been left fuming after multi-million pound stars John Terry and Robin van Persie were crocked while playing in meaningless friendlies for England and Holland and MacPherson is relieved that St Mirren have not suffered similar misfortune.

“We have just had two players away on international duty and they have come back unscathed and that’s all we can hope for,” he said.

“Although they didn’t get any time on the park, they didn’t get injured in training either as that can sometimes happen.

“Ask any manager and they’ll tell you that their main worry is that, when their players go away on international duty, they might come back injured.

“Thankfully, that hasn’t happened to us.”

Dorman was only called up to the Wales squad after a rule change was introduced that allows players who have been schooled in a country for at least five years to represent that nation, while Gallacher was returning to the Scotland fold after a five-year absence.

But, despite the fact that neither player made it onto the pitch at the Cardiff City Stadium, MacPherson believes they will benefit from the trip to Wales.

He added: “I’m sure the boys will be disappointed that they didn’t feature but, when you are away on international duty, it is part of your education.

“Whether it is Andy with Wales, Paul with Scotland or even young Stephen McGinn with the under-21s, they will learn from that involvement.”