‘Bizarre’ not to see Francisco Sandaza on list, says Steve Lomas

ST JOHNSTONE manager Steve Lomas claims his players are not being given the credit they deserve after missing out on the shortlist for the Cheque Centre PFA Scotland player of the year award.

Dundee United striker Jon Daly, Rangers skipper Steven Davis, Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew and Dean Shiels of Kilmarnock have been nominated for the prize.

But Lomas – whose side currently sit fourth in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League – felt a number of his players should have been contenders.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And he believes Spanish striker Francisco Sandaza – with 18 goals so far this term – can feel particularly aggrieved at being overlooked by his fellow professionals in the voting.

Ulsterman Lomas, who has himself impressed in his first season as Saints manager, said: “I don’t think we’ve got the credit we deserve.

“I’ve seen the list of players for the PFA Scotland awards and how Fran Sandaza, and a few more of my team, are not in the mix, I find that bizarre. Players such as Dave Mackay, Frazer Wright, Jody Morris and Liam Craig, who has six goals from the left side of midfield.

“I keep hearing about Jon Daly and he has been sensational, absolutely sensational. But Fran has scored 18 goals for St Johnstone and he’s not even on the list. Maybe it’s just the reality of where we are at – ‘little’ St Johnstone in all aspects.”