HANDY ANDY TO BE SAINT?

Dec 28 2007

SAINTS boss Gus MacPherson was last night close to finalising a deal to bring New England Revolution midfielder Andy Dorman to Love Street.

Dorman checked in yesterday morning after being offered an 18 month contract by St Mirren with the option of a one year extension.

And it now seems almost certain the 25-year-old player will be MacPherson’s first new signing when the January Transfer Window opens up on Tuesday morning.

The Saints boss said: “I don’t know when the deal is going to be concluded as it’s not finalised yet, but we have got him over here and we hope to have everything done sooner rather than later.

“Andy’s an old fashioned box to box midfield player and was recommended to us.

“We then did all the necessary background checks and that took two or three phone calls, but the feedback we got back has all been very positive.”

Free agent Dorman, who was born in Chester, spent three years with
the MLS team after being ‘drafted’ from his scholarship in the US with Boston University to play in the MLS.

Last year the attacking midfield ace played all 32 of Revolution’s games, scoring six times with 10 assists.

And this year he’s already played another 27 matches, scoring three times.

However, it’s understood that Dorman wants a crack at the professional game back in the UK and it’s believed Saints have
beaten off interest from Stoke
City, QPR and Norwich to get their man.

MacPherson said: “Andy is desperate to come back to the UK and we got wind of it. We’ve offered him a chance to play here in Scotland – and he’s impressed with what we had to say.

“He’s a very determined character and that has really stood him in good stead because he’s made an impression over there at that level of football.

“A few people have told us what he’s capable of and his stats are very good, so is his fitness, so hopefully he can make an impact.

“He already has over 100 games under his belt in three years, working with a coach like Steve Nichol, but with his determination and attributes, hopefully he’s going to be a success.”

Dorman may, however, be forced to play the waiting game as he needs International clearance before making his debut, which is notoriously slow in coming back from the United States.

MacPherson added: “We are very close to the deal now and it’s all down to the formalities and the international clearance, but we have asked for that clearance through the SFA.”

“Hopefully he will bring competition for places in the team.”