INJURY-HIT SAINTS BOLSTER SQUAD AHEAD OF CELTIC TRIP

It’s Celtic Park for Saints tomorrow as the team look to build on the recent good form which has seen them move 14 points clear of safety.

A trip to Parkhead is a tough proposition at any time but Saints head west tomorrow unable to call on at least TWELVE players. On the injured list are: Martin Hardie, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Steven Anderson, Stuart McCaffrey, Graham Gartland, Murray Davidson, Andy Jackson, Peter MacDonald, Collin Samuel, Steven Milne and Kevin Moon.

In addition, striker Cillian Sheridan is not allowed to face the club he is currently on loan from.

The news on midfielder Kevin Moon is worse than first anticipated – the 22 year old has damaged a cruciate ligament and is likely to be out of action until September. The injury was sustained during Tuesday’s win over Aberdeen during an innocuous collision with the Dons’ Mark Kerr and Manager Derek McInnes has revealed that the Aberdeen man has been in touch with Kevin to offer his sympathies.

Derek says of Kevin’s injury, “It’s a huge blow for Kevin and he is still coming to terms with it. He knows I hold him in the highest regard and at a time where it is difficult to find any positives for him, we can only hope that this period of enforced rest may help some of the other problems he has been constantly nursing.”

Out of that list of eleven injured players, only striker Steven Milne has an outside chance of being involved tomorrow but the squad will be bolstered by the addition of a new face.

Saints have this morning completed the signing until the end of the season of 19 year old Josh Falkingham.

The slightly built central midfielder was with Leeds United until the end of December and was recommended to Derek McInnes by former Elland Road Manager Gary McAllister.

The Saints boss says, Josh has been training with us for a few weeks and we have all been impressed by his determination and attitude. I would have preferred to have arranged a bounce game to see Josh in action but I have seen enough of him in training to feel he deserves the chance to impress us in the remainder of the season. Given the current injury situation, he will be a useful addition.”

On the trip to meet Tony Mowbray’s side tomorrow, Derek McInnes says: “This is a game I had considered freshening the side up for but that won’t be possible now. Trips to Parkhead and Ibrox are the toughest fixtures of the season but knowing my players they will head there and fancy their chances of taking something from the game. However, I am mindful of the fact that we have a vital fixture against Falkirk next Tuesday and that is one we really want to win.”

TOMORROW’S GAME:

KICK OFF 3.00pm

GETTING TO THE GAME Supporters are reminded to leave plenty of time for their journey as major roadworks continue in the Haggs/Castlecary area of the road to Glasgow.

Tayside Safety Camera Partnership (TSCP) enforces the speed limit on roads in Tayside with a history of casualties and excessive speed.

When travelling to and from the game this weekend, supporters should remember that TSCP will be using fixed and mobile safety cameras to enforce the speed limits on the following roads:

A9 Between Perth and Inverness A935 Brechin to Montrose A92 Arbroath to Montrose A933 Arbroath to Brechin and on other sites on the A9 and A90.

Tayside Safety Camera Partnership would like to wish all supporters a safe journey.

ADMISSION Saints fans have until 5pm today to buy tickets for this all-ticket game. Ticket prices are Adult £25 Concession £16 (under 16/over 65) or Restricted view Adult £22 Concession £13 (under 16/over 65).

REFEREE Calum Murray

CAN'T GET TO THE GAME? Live commentary of the game is available in the UK on the BBC Radio Scotland website.

The St Johnstone Official Website will have text commentary throughout the game.

BBC website Highlights of the latest games are available from 6pm on Sunday

Sky Sports 1 have a 30-minute SPL round-up highlights show at 6.30pm and midnight Monday with the best bits from the weekend and Sportscene on BBC1 on Monday at 11.35pm will have highlights of the weekend games in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

The game is also available on BT Vision on demand

THE LAST TIME: Our earlier first trip to celtic Park was our first away SPL match of the season and although we earned plenty plaudits for our display and scored a couple of goals courtesy of Collin Samuel and Jody Morris we came back to Perth empty-handed in terms of points after a 5-2 defeat.

22 August 2009 SAINTS: Main, Irvine (Hardie), Grainger, Morris, McCaffrey, Millar, Mackay, Gartland, Davidson, Samuel, Morais (Swankie).

Subs not used: McLean, Sheerin, Milne, Reynolds, Heagney

CELTIC: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McDonald, Brown, Fortune (Killen), Fox, McGeady, Donati (Crosas), Maloney, Loovens (O’Dea)

Subs not used: Zaluska, Caddis, Ferry, Samaras,

THIS WEEKEND'S OTHER SPL GAMES: Aberdeen v Dundee Utd Hamilton v Falkirk Hearts v Hibernian