St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes has revealed he “pleaded” with Jim McIntyre to take Martin Hardie to Dunfermline when cost cutting at McDiarmid Park meant the experienced midfielder was given a free transfer from Perth in January.
The McDiarmid Park boss believes the advice given to his friend McIntyre has proved to be correct, given the impact Hardie went on to have on the Pars’ faltering first division promotion campaign, not to mention a spectacular 30-yard free-kick he scored to gain them an SPL point against Inverness Caley Thistle last weekend.
Hardie is a certain starter on Saturday afternoon, but former Saints skipper Kevin Rutkiewicz is unlikely to return from injury.
McInnes knows that come kick-off any glowing references he may have given to help bring about Hardie’s transfer to Fife will be long forgotten, as the veteran playmaker looks to show him what he’s missing.
He said, “Martin has had two years blighted by injury and that counted against him here, but now he looks fit and motivated.
“Both players will be bursting to do well here this weekend. That’s the way it is with ex-players.”
He added, “I am delighted Dinky and Martin have been a success at Dunfermline but I always felt they were two boys who would do well for Jim and help get them the first division title.
“They were both brilliant here for me. The year we went up Dinky was an outstanding captain and player. But he was frustrated at not playing enough SPL games for us last season and went out initially on loan.”‘Welcome addition’McInnes said, “I phoned Jim and pleaded with him to give Martin a chance when I had to make cuts and let them go. I had to move on four of five guys at the time.
“Jim is a pal and one of those guys, like Brian Reid, Paul Sheerin, Owen Coyle and Ally McCoist, whose results I look out for first.
“He was under pressure to get them up so I was delighted for him and they are an welcome addition to the SPL.”
He added, “I remember playing in Owen Coyle’s team and I would joke that Martin and I shared 17 goals from midfield. He got all 17 of them.”
Spanish recruit Fran Sandaza will be in the squad to face Dunfermline but McInnes hasn’t yet decided whether he’ll start or be on the bench. Chris Millar and Sam Parkin definitely won’t play, however.
Meanwhile, former Falkirk striker Carl Finnigan is determined to stake a claim for a start after quickly settling in at Perth.
He said, “I have loved every minute since I came in, apart from picking up blisters in Ireland. But even that was nothing after previous pre-season injuries.
“I was expecting there to be competition here after the lack of goals last season. The manager was always going to bring in players and that’s why there are now seven heads for the forward places.”
He added, “Dunfermline are just up and will want to prove they can stay in the SPL. This is definitely the place to be.”
Photo David Wardle.