Lomas: My Saints are high class
Graham Ruthven • Published 10 Feb 2012 09:30
ST. JOHNSTONE boss, Steve Lomas thinks the quality of his players is often overlooked, labeling his side "high-class", after the Scottish Cup draw with Hearts on Sunday.
David Templeton had opened the scoring for the Edinburgh side but Cillian Sheridan's second half goal, laid on by strike-partner, Francisco Sandaza, leveled the score at Tynecastle after Dave Mackay had been harshly shown a second yellow card.
Speaking after the match, Lomas praised the effort put in by his team.
He said: "Work ethic and team spirit are great traits to have. We've got them in abundance, as well as some very good players. My boys yet again put on a high-class performance and I thought we should've won the tie. We had far better chances."
Sheridan was introduced into the action as a second half substitute and Lomas admitted his admiration of the on loan CSKA Sofia striker.
He added: "We had a little change and Cill gave us something else up front; a bit of pace, a bit of presence and we thrived off it. He's a good player, I keep telling him. He's strong, he's quick, he can score.
"He has every attribute in the locker to be a top, top player and it's just wanting him to belief he can be and the work you've got to put in, day in, day out to achieve them goals.
"It doesn't just happen for you, you've got work hard and I thought he was brilliant."
Lomas seems as bemused by referee, Craig Thomson's decision to show Mackay a second booking for an accidental collision as many of the Saints' players.
"I'm not going to get myself into any trouble but I would like referee (Thomson) to explain it. Dave's running back, he can't see what's behind him, he's just hooking the ball back where it came from and unfortunately the lad's come through with his head.
"I can't see how he's sent him off for that. How can he say it's dangerous play when he can't even see the man?"
Midfielder, Murray Davidson had to be withdrawn ten minutes from the end, and Lomas confirmed that the 23 year old has been carrying an ankle injury.
"He gave his usual total commitment against Hearts, He actually had a local anesthetic before the game. He's a manager's dream. However, there was a recurrence of the problem and brought him off and we'll have to nurse him over the next few days again.
"Murray will definitely be struggling for Saturday (vs. Dundee United), but knowing him he could come to see me on Friday and say, "I'm good to go gaffer"."
This article appeared in Strathallan Times 09 Feb 12
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