Steve Lomas bemoans lack of recognition for players who ‘give everything’

ST JOHNSTONE manager Steve Lomas believes his side have not been given the credit their football has deserved this season.

The Perth club are in fifth place in the SPL, only three points behind third-placed Motherwell whom they play at Fir Park today.

Lomas’ side travel to Lanarkshire on the back of a 3-2 win at Easter Road last week. However, it rankles with Lomas, who took over the McDiarmid Park post in November following the departure of Derek McInnes to English Championship team Bristol City, that more emphasis has been put on his side’s tenacity rather than their talent.

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“I have been nothing but pleased with the lads since I came here,” he said. “Even when we get beat the players give me everything. If you compare our budgets with other clubs we should be nowhere near where we are. That is a credit to the lads’ team spirit but also their quality.

“People go on about St Johnstone being a workmanlike side but we have quality as well.

“It has the makings of a good game tomorrow. Motherwell have good players, a good togetherness which they showed in their midweek win against Dunfermline when they went down to ten men and still dominated the ball.”

The Northern Irishman is praying that Tuesday’s transfer window closes with 14-goal striker Francisco Sandaza, who scored the winner against Hibs and who was a recent target of Rangers, still at McDiarmid Park.

“We wish the transfer window was shut but it is still open,” said Lomas. “We hope that Fran will be with us for the rest of the season so we can reap the benefits of a player in good form who is desperate to play at a higher level. I understand that but if he scores 25 goals then I’m sure clubs will be desperate to get him in the summer.”

Meanwhile, Motherwell manager Stuart McCall is hoping the absence of Michael Higdon and Stephen Craigan will inspire his fringe players to step up to the mark.

Both Craigan and Higdon will miss today’s clash through suspension, but McCall insists their absence presents a great opportunity for squad players desperate for first-team football. Omar Daley, Chris Humphrey, Robert McHugh and Tim Clancy will all be hoping to be given a chance against Lomas’ side.

“The suspensions open the door for other players to come in and, while we will be without the physical presence that Michael has, we will be looking at different options,” McCall said.

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“Players are ready to come in, Tim Clancy came on after Stephen Craigan was sent off on Tuesday night and did well. We also have options in the wide areas and up front, who are all desperate to be playing.”

Higdon was handed a one-match ban for making an apparent gesture at his own supporters when celebrating his goal in Saturday’s draw against Dundee United. Motherwell appealed the decision, but the SFA confirmed the ban would stand after a 45-minute hearing at Hampden on Thursday.