Youngsters Sign New Deals

Barron has been in good form since being handed his first team debut against Kilmarnock just before Christmas. He scored against Dumbarton in the cup and was outstanding against Celtic on Sunday when he had the challenging task of dealing with Aiden McGeady. The right back was released by Partick Thistle a few years ago and their loss is very much our gain. That the 20-year-old has signed such a long term contract - only keeper Chris Smith is contracted for as long - suggests people at Love Street see a big future for him.

While signing Barron up long term makes perfect sense, giving McCay a new deal is a bit surprising. This is the fourth season the left sided player has been in and around the first team and, barring a wee run in early 2005, he has yet to establish himself in the first team. He'll turn 22 in May, meaning he will no longer count as one of the under 21 players. To be honest, I expected Ryan to be released in the summer and am very surprised he's been given a new deal - although the fact it's only until next summer may suggest this is his last chance. Hopefully, him getting a new contract isn't a sign that everyone in the current squad is being kept!

Saints have been working hard over the last few weeks to get some of their players signed up on new deals. Hopefully David van Zanten, ian Maxwell and Mark Corcoran will soon follow suit.

Story source: The Herald