Coyle looking forward to Saints return
Published Date:
23 July 2008
On tour with the Clarets
EARLIER this month, Elton John became arguably the biggest star ever to visit St Johnstone's McDiarmid Park for the stadium's first ever concert.
But it is doubtful whether Reg Dwight, as the singer was born, was as well received as Burnley's managerial duo Owen Coyle and Sandy Stewart will be tonight.
The pair took the Saints to the brink of the Scottish Premier League, the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup and Scottish FA Cup, while the Challenge Cup was secured by caretaker Stewart in the first game after Coyle agreed to join the Clarets.
And Coyle looked forward to his return: "You always like going back to clubs you have been at before, and the fact Sandy and I had so many good times there means we will look forward to it.
"It's a lovely club with a tremendous set-up, a beautiful all-seater stadium and brilliant pitch.
"I'm nostalgic about going back, but that wasn't the reason for playing the game.
"The reason for that was because we knew it would be a good test from a side who will probably be the favourites for the division. They got to the semi-final of the Scottish FA Cup as well.
"Obviously a lot of our players are still there and it will be good to see them, and equally Derek McInnes, who was manager of the youth team when we were there.
"They have a fantastic pedigree and some very talented players that we worked with, and Derek's added to that and brought some quality players in to enhance what they already had.
"There are a lot of tie-ups, but equally we are there in our capacity as Burnley, wanting to do the good things and keep adding to our team."
Coyle expects St Johnstone to provide the sternest test yet of pre-season: "It's been good that we have looked strong in all the games in Scotland, for the most part.
"This will be another difficult game, but I think once we have sewn it up we can start stepping things up and getting sharper in training and bringing everything to bear.
"Winning is important, but we have tried to give everyone a run-out and you will probably find that from Saturday onwards, we will start taking a little bit more care, for want of a better word, and be more selective in terms of who plays.
"We are quite meticulous in knowing exactly how many minutes everyone has played, but I've said before, particularly in terms of the team we see starting, that players have at least five or six 90 minutes under their belt.
"There are a lot of players who have given me food for thought, and regardless of who you bring in, I have said to them all it's a level playing field, and the person playing the best will keep the jersey. "The bottom line is it's up to every single one of them.
"There is competition throughout the side. We want them knowing they have to be at their best to play again the next week."
Skipper Steven Caldwell has enjoyed being back on home turf in Scotland, and is eager to end the tour with another victory: "I think the tour has gone really well.
"It's obviously been very different from the American tour, and I think the lads were a little tired coming back and heading here.
"I think that tiredness showed against Queen of the South, but I thought we played better against Partick and hopefully it will be another good performance at St Johnstone in another difficult game.
"It will be a big night for the gaffer and Sandy. They will be seeing old friends and players they signed. There will be plenty of people there they are still close to, so I'm sure it will probably be a bit emotional for them, but they will want to win!"
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Last Updated:
23 July 2008 10:12 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Burnley