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MCINNES: Turned around St Johnstone's fortunes

Sunday January 11,2009

Derek McInnes briefly abandoned his attacking principles – and turned St Johnstone’s season around.

The moment that will quite possibly define the McDiarmid Park club’s season came in September, when Saints were toiling in the First Division and facing a hazardous trip to Dingwall to face Ross County.

“I decided to change things round because we had had a poor run of results,” said McInnes.

“I went with just one frontman in a 4-5-1 formation so we could be more solid and we ended up winning 2-1, a fantastic result up there.

“We then stuck with that for a wee while as confidence built up and then we reverted to a more attacking line-up again.”

Whatever team he fields will be very strong and we will need to be very good

Derek McInnes

That result against Ross County sparked an astonishing transformation in Saints’ fortunes.

Since then they have been undefeated in the First Division to race away from the chasing pack at the top, and on Tuesday night they entertain Rangers in the Scottish Cup.

McInnes said: “It’s been a terrific run and all credit to the players who have worked really hard.

“We had lost three on the spin earlier on, confidence was down and because of the expectation levels here everyone was really disappointed with the start we made.

“But even so I still felt we had the players to challenge and, thankfully, we’ve gone on from there and done much better.

“Now we have this tie with Rangers and that’s great, although from my point of view next Saturday’s match against Partick Thistle is at least as vital.

“But we’ll relish this opportunity to play a massive team and I would love a good cup run to go alongside our drive for promotion which has to be the priority.”

And after a turbulent week for Rangers does McInnes see renewed hope for a spot of giantkilling?

McInnes warned: “I know Walter Smith well enough to realise his desire to win things remains as strong as ever and he will want to win this cup again.

“Whatever team he fields will be very strong and we will need to be very good.

“But it’s great for us, and this is the kind of game I want St Johnstone to be facing week in, week out in the Premier League.”

There’s a bit to go for that to happen, of course, but at least the Perth side are still in pole position for promotion as the title run-in starts.

“There’s a long way to go and being at the top is a new experience for us because we’ve spent recent seasons playing catch-up on the likes of Gretna and Hamilton,” added McInnes.

“But I hold Accies up as a good example to the players because they led from the front and seldom wavered last year and showed terrific consistency.

“We have to stay focused in the league. But all the thoughts at the moment are obviously on Rangers and we can trouble them.

“Stevie Milne has scored twice against them in the past and we have guys like Gavin Swankie, Derek Holmes, Paul Sheerin, Andy Jackson, Jody Morris and others who can cause problems. We’re looking forward to it.”