The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Saints scrap reserve team to maximise development
ST JOHNSTONE: Chairman explains decision on young players’ development
St Johnstone will scrap their reserve team for next season, the Perth club have confirmed.
Chairman Steve Brown said: “This is not about reducing expenditure – it’s about having the most effective set-up in place to maximise the development of young players.
“Until such time as a viable alternative option to the Reserve League is introduced we will continue to maximise the use of the loans systems.
“I firmly believe that young players benefit from a progressive programme of playing in the lower leagues because whatever level that happens to be at, it is good, competitive football being played by adults and all that that entails.
“Numerous players have gone out on-loan over the years including current first-team regulars Zander Clark, Jason Kerr, Liam Gordon and Chris Kane who have all returned to McDiarmid Park much the better and more experienced for their loan spells, as has Callum Hendry who has been in the starting XI in recent weeks.
“We’ve used the loan system well this season and players that we have loaned out to Lowland League club BSC Glasgow, who we have a good relationship with, have come on leaps and bounds.
“Ali McCann is impressing many with his performances at Stranraer and Kyle McClean has been getting great reviews for this contribution to Linfield’s League Championship and League Cup successes in Northern Ireland.”
Saints will face Northern Ireland champions Linfield on Saturday July 6 as part of their pre-season preparations in Northern Ireland.
The match against the Windsor Park men will have a 2pm kick-off, with another friendly over there a possibility.
Meanwhile, David McMillan has been linked with a return to the Republic of Ireland. He is a target of Shamrock Rovers.
The striker arrived in Perth from Dundalk in January last year and was loaned out to Hamilton 12 months later, but he has yet to score for the Accies.
McMillan has another year left on his Saints contract.
Newly-promoted Luton have announced that former St Johnstone striker Graeme Jones will lead them into the Championship next season.
Jones has agreed a three-year deal at Kenilworth Road.