Saints star Sheerin well versed in Cup joy and pain

Published on Friday 13 April 2007 12:27

ST JOHNSTONE midfielder Paul Sheerin scored in one of the great Tennent's Scottish Cup upsets of all time but hopes to fare better on Saturday than on the last occasion he faced Celtic at Hampden.

The 32-year-old scored the final goal for Inverness Caley Thistle in their stunning 3-1 third-round cup win over Celtic in February 2000 but, following a move to Ayr United, the playmaker was a member of the side who suffered a 3-0 defeat to the Bhoys in the semi-finals of the same competition two years later.

That defeat came just a week after Ayr lost 4-0 to Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup final.

St Johnstone play Celtic at the national stadium tomorrow and Sheerin said: "I was fortunate enough in my time at Ayr United that we got to a semi-final and a final within a week of each other, and my experiences of Hampden from that time will help."

Sheerin added: "We will need to handle the pressure, but that shouldn't be a problem because we have nothing to lose. When I was at Ayr we beat Hibs in the semi-finals of the League Cup and we were strong underdogs that night but managed to win. Celtic are expected to go through, but we just have to see what we can get out of the game." St Johnstone are without several first-team players for tomorrow's game but welcome back Simon Mensing and Kevin Cuthbert from suspension.

Defenders Kevin Rutkiewicz (ankle) and Willie Dyer (appendicitis) are out on a long-term basis and are joined on the sidelines by Steven Milne (thigh) and Steven Doris (foot).

Derek Lilley is cup-tied, but Felipe Morais can play despite being sent off in the 2-0 win over Gretna in the First Division on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Celtic full-back Lee Naylor has backed manager Gordon Strachan in the wake of recent criticism following a string of poor performances from his players since their exit from the Champions League.

Defeats to Rangers and Falkirk were followed by a draw at Dundee United before last week's unconvincing 1-0 home win over Motherwell.

However, the fact remains that Celtic are just 90 minutes from clinching their second consecutive Scottish championship and favourites to lift the Cup.

"I think the flak that comes the manager's way, some of it from Celtic supporters, is harsh after all he's done for the club," said 27-year-old Naylor.

"The gaffer has been nothing but good for me. He's the kind who believes in talking to his players and I know what he wants from us."