Lennon tips new boy Jon to shine

Jul 6 2012 by Andy Newport, Paisley Daily Express

NEW St Mirren signing Jon Robertson has been tipped to make the leap from part-time pretender to a full-time SPL star.

Buddies boss Danny Lennon has lured the 23-year-old midfield ace from former club Cowdenbeath and believes the youngster can handle the switch to Scotland’s top flight.

Robertson enjoyed a fantastic season last term, capturing the Second Division Player of the Year prize while leading the Blue Brazil to the league title.

Now Lennon expects his new arrival to cope admirably with life in the SPL.

He told Express Sports: “It’s going to be a great challenge for Jon but I know he will grasp it with both hands. He’s a guy who gives his very best in everything he does.

“Jon was the Second Division Player of the Year last season and won the championship with Cowdenbeath. If he didn’t have great qualities and attributes, I wouldn’t have brought him to the club.

“I know that, with the demands we make on the players and the coaching he will receive here, he will be able to kick on again.”

Robertson is the fifth player to follow Lennon from Cowdenbeath after the gaffer snapped up Darren McGregor, Paul McQuade, Gareth Wardlaw and Peter Bradley when he took over at Saints two years ago.

But only McGregor remains after McQuade, Wardlaw and Bradley failed to make the grade.

Lennon, however, sees the same qualities in Robertson as he does in star defender McGregor.

He said: “I do see something different in John from some of the other lads I’ve brought from Cowden that tells me he can succeed.

“When you look at the players I previously brought here, Darren McGregor probably had the most limited ability but I knew he had the inner strength to keep working and grab all the opportunities that came his way and that has proved to be the case.

“Jon is a very fit young man and, of all the lads I have brought from the lower leagues, he is the one who ticks all of the boxes.

“He has got a bit of everything but, most importantly, he has got that strong mentality.”

Former warehouse worker Robertson packed in his job in order to spend more time in the gym preparing for his big move.

And Lennon has promised he will be rewarded for his hard work.

He added: “Jon has to come in and hit the ground running. We kick off on August 4 and it is going to be competitive for every single member of my squad but every player throughout the season will have a part to play and Jon will get his chance.”