Derek McInnes uses SPL spur to ease cup disappointment

Published on Sunday 24 April 2011 17:07

Manager Derek McInnes hopes his St Johnstone side can get over their Scottish Cup disappointment by clinching seventh place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

After the 3-0 Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Motherwell at Hampden Park, Saints' focus returns to the SPL in tonight's clash with Inverness at McDiarmid Park.

With Caley Thistle and Hibernian also aiming to finish top of the bottom half of the table, McInnes knows victory tomorrow night is a must. McInnes said: "We finished eighth last year and we've got a bit of work to do if we want to beat that.

"We need to win the last five games if we want to finish seventh. We've got something to work towards and that's what we'll try and do.

"Terry Butcher and his team are one of the teams who will be going for exactly the same target."

McInnes has seen something of his St Johnstone side in Inverness this season. Caley Thistle won promotion from the Irn-Bru First Division last season and were in the top six of the SPL for much of the first half of the season.

McInnes said: "They've mirrored very much our first season last year. They've come up with an enthusiasm and brought something to the SPL. They've been very positive and had a lot of plaudits and rightly so.

"I like how Terry and his players have approached it and, one thing is for certain, we know their approach will be spot on tomorrow night and we look forward to it."

In three prior meetings this season, Inverness have one win, Saints have one win and there has been a draw.

McInnes anticipates a tight tussle with Butcher's men. "There's not a lot between us in head-to-head games," he said. "All games we've had with them have been tight and competitive and I expect no different."

Defenders Michael Duberry and Steven Anderson are suspended for Saints. Midfielder Jody Morris played in the Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Motherwell but could yet miss the rest of the season with a back problem, while Graham Gartland (groin) and Collin Samuel (hip) are doubtful.

Peter MacDonald is back following a ban and on-loan Hearts winger Arvydas Novikovas is available again after missing the cup clash.