JODY LOOKS TO MAKE UP FOR PENALTY MISS

Jody Morris has revealed he has some unfinished business to carry out in a Saints jersey.

The former Chelsea man has admitted that he didn’t want his last ever kick of the ball as a Saints player to be the penalty kick which was saved that led to Rangers winning the Scottish Cup semi-final penalty shoot-out.

Speaking after signing the contract which will keep him in Perth for the next two seasons Jody said “That penalty miss won’t ever leave me and I want to make it up to the club and the fans by playing a part in getting us into the SPL. Although I had been struggling with a calf injury from the middle of the second half I wasn’t going to shirk my responsibility when it came to taking one of the spot kicks. After the past couple of years of frustration I was absolutely buzzing when I walked up to take the kick – it was great to be back in that sort of situation in a big game. I struck it well enough but the keeper went the right way – if he had gone the other way it would have been a great penalty!”

Confirming that he had offers and interest from other clubs, Jody said that what he had experienced during his short time with Saints was enough to persuade him to throw his lot in with the club’s efforts to return to the SPL.

“Everything has been great since I came up here. There are a great bunch of lads at the club and it has been very enjoyable working under Derek and the Doc. Everyone at the club and the supporters have been different class towards me and I want to repay everyone for the welcome that has been given. I didn’t play as many games as I would have liked due to the injury and then having to take time off at home for the birth of our second child but I’m raring to get a pre-season behind me.”

After two years of frustration and some negative headlines, Jody is determined to ensure that McDiarmid Park is the place where he turns his fortunes around.

“This is a fresh start. It is nice to see some good things written about me for a change and I’m coming to Saints with a clean slate. There is a lot more to come from me and St Johnstone and Perth is the perfect place for me to be right now.”

Photo: Showing his true colours. Jody displays the new Saints home jersey after signing a two year deal yesterday.

The jersey, again manufactured by Surridge and with continuing sponsorship from George Wimpey, will be in the shops in July. Last season’s yellow kit will remain registered with Scottish Football League and a new sky blue outfit will also be introduced.