St Johnstone 2-1 Bristol Ciy: Lomas keen to land Vine

By IAIN COLLIN
Published on 30/07/2012 00:00

This friendly was supposed to be about the return of old faces but it was an unfamiliar one who grabbed the attention as St Johnstone had trialist Rowan Vine to thank for a morale-boosting victory over Bristol City.

Scorers: St Johnstone - Vine (2, 37); Bristol City - Stead (45)

The English Championship club have former Saints manager Derek McInnes at the helm and he enticed captain Jody Morris south from McDiarmid Park.

Both were given warm receptions during a game for which home manager Steve Lomas rested many of those who had tasted Europa League action against Eskisehirspor on Thursday.

In their place were a trio of trialists. Jamaica internationalist Keammar Daley – the younger brother of Motherwell’s Omar – who has been transfer-listed by Preston North End, and Ryan Donaldson, a 21-year-old freed by Newcastle United, were given the chance to impress.

But it was 29-year-old Vine who impressed with a superb double that was countered by Jon Stead’s header. Vine was once signed by Birmingham from Luton for £3 million and left for QPR for £1m. No surprise, then, that Lomas is keen to construct a deal for the striker despite financial uncertainty.

“Hopefully something can be done,” he said. “But until the chairman feels a little bit more comfortable with the scenario, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

For City, Morris dictated play and he said afterwards: “I had a great time here and have some great friends here, and the club was good to me. Obviously I’ll be wishing them all the best.”