St Johnstone v Inverness CT: Don't tell them there is nothing left to play for

Published on Saturday 23 April 2011 15:21

Manager Derek McInnes is determined to see his St Johnstone players respond to their Scottish Cup setback and finish the Clydesdale Bank Premier League campaign strongly.

Saints suffered a 3-0 semi-final loss to Motherwell at Hampden Park last weekend and return to league duty at home to Inverness tomorrow night.

McInnes has instructed his players to move on after their cup final dream was ended.

He said: "There's huge disappointment from last weekend, but there's no point having people walking around feeling sorry for themselves.

"We're professionals, we're paid to train, to play and to get on with the job - that's exactly what we've been doing.

"We've still got games to play and we won't be putting the tools away because there doesn't seem to be a lot to play for."

Saints enter the weekend's fixtures with work to do to better their eighth-place finish of last season.

But, with five matches remaining, McInnes hopes players playing for their futures can be inspired to ensure the campaign does not peter out.

He added: "Yes we want performances, yes we want results, but for me it's all about approach and I'll be looking at the players closely day to day and their approach to the games as well."

McInnes has already begun his search to add to his squad for next season, and decisions over the futures of current players will be made between now and the end of the campaign.

He added: "I'm already actively trying to recruit targets for next season.

"But the ones that are currently here still have the best opportunity to impress because they can do it on a daily basis."

Inverness manager Terry Butcher, meanwhile, senses his players are determined to end the season on a high.

Caley Thistle had looked on course for a top-six place in November when they sat fourth in the table but a downturn in form saw them pipped by Motherwell.

Butcher was impressed by his players' spirit in a 1-1 draw with Hearts last weekend, after Motherwell had clinched a top-six place, and their attitude in training has pleased him further.

Butcher will be without the suspended Ross Tokely and Stuart Duff against St Johnstone, while Jonny Hayes will not play again this season after undergoing ankle surgery.

The Caley Thistle boss said: "We'll have to make three changes at least but training has been very good.

"The lads showed they were up for it against Hearts and they have shown they want to get seventh place, which is important for us.

"It's a great attitude of the players, especially with the sun shining now, you could easily drop down a gear and meander out the season, but the players don't want that.

"They are hungry to do well, they played really well against Hearts and we want to show that spirit in the next six matches."