St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes pulled off a major coup last night by snapping up striker Cillian Sheridan on a six-month loan.
The CSKA Sofia player had a trial spell at Hibs but has decided to opt for a return to Perth instead.
The former Celtic forward spent time on loan at St Johnstone two seasons ago before his move to Bulgaria.
McInnes kept in touch with the 22-year-old Irishman and could not disguise his delight at being reunited with the player.
He said, “He is someone we know well from the last time he played here when he had great success for us. He scored goals for us the last time and I am sure he’ll do the same again.
“I am absolutely delighted to get him because there was interest from other clubs.”
He added, “I have kept in touch with him since he left and with that relationship, I always felt we might have a chance to get him back. He will go into the squad for Saturday.”SuboticMcInnes also revealed he has decided not to continue his pursuit of ex-Portsmouth forward Danijel Subotic after failing to untangle red tape surrounding the proposed deal.
He said, “Subotic is back in Switzerland. It became clear that it wasn’t going to be as straight-forward as we thought. The red tape was difficult to get through and you can only hang on for so long.”
Meanwhile, McInnes tied up another piece of signing business last night as Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Alan Mannus put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Saints.
And the big stopper revealed how he had turned his back on the chance of Champions League football to do so.
The 29-year-old Northern Ireland international’s former side are set to face FC Copenhagen in the Champions League qualifiers.
Mannus was key in helping Shamrock Rovers overcome Flora Tallinn in the last round, but admits the lure of joining Saints was too strong to turn down.
He said, “I knew that if Shamrock got through I would miss the European game against Copenhagen. “I’ve been trying for 15 years to get a move like this.Risks”I have given up a good thing at Shamrock they are a great club and the fans were brilliant, but sometimes you have to take risks in your life.
“I was over in December to train with St Johnstone, so that gave me a great feel for the place. I loved working with Peter Enckleman, goalkeeping coach Gordon Marshall as well as the manager and other players.
“People might ask why I am willing to go from playing regularly with Shamrock and in Europe when I’m not guaranteed a game here, but I am confident in my own ability and am here to fight with Peter for the place in the team.
“I might have to be patient, but I’m willing to take the risk to come here and want to make a success of it.”