Saints v Saints Preview

St. Johnstone may be a division lower than us, but that doesn't mean things will be easy. Far from it, in fact, as they'll be desperate to cause an upset. They haven't lost at home in any competition since the end of March last year, while they beat us the last time we played (although not a single Saints fan cared as we got the first division trophy that day). We often struggle when expectation is high - which it unquestionably is - and there is a big crowd - which there will be. It wouldn't be the biggest of giant killings, but the stage is very much set for an SFL side to pull off a shock.

Despite Buddies boss Gus MacPherson saying otherwise during the week, it would seem that David Barron will be out of tomorrow's game. This is a major blow as the youngster has been outstanding at right back since being handed his first team debut at the end of last year. While David van Zanten will remain there, it means there is still a problem on the right wing. Hugh Murray played there in the defeat to Kilmarnock but it's not his natural position. Will youngster Stephen McGinn get his chance, or could we even see Richard Brittain? Suddenly, playing Shuggy out there isn't such a bad prospect, although McGinn wouldn't be that bad an option.

On the plus side, Craig Dargo is expected to be back to full fitness and will almost definitely start. The former Caley Thistle striker has yet to score for Saints and tomorrow would surely be the best time for him to break his duck. Stewart Kean was poor last week and will probably be the one to make way. With Stephen O'Donnell not fit and Jim Hamilton cup tied, Dargo's return and a possible switch on the right wing are likely to be our only changes.

St. Johnstone have a lot of loan signings this season and almost have more temporary signings than permanent ones. They've changed a fair bit since we last played them, although the likes of Kevin James and Paul Sheerin still remain. Andy Jackson has broken through this season and has scored a shedload of goals, while former Chelsea player Jody Morris scored on his debut last week despite not having played a first team game for anyone this season. Sheerin's creativity will be a problem - and he's also scored a number of goals - while the freakish figure of James means we could be even more vulnerable at set pieces than usual.

So, can we earn ourselves a place at Hampden, which wiould probably see us face one of the Old Firm in a not-fixed-at-all draw carried out by Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini? Sadly, not. I think we'll blow another great chance - just as we did against Gretna two years ago - and will lose the battle of the Saints.