I am not too concerned about this game - I always think playing your local rivals just before the season starts is asking for trouble in terms of injuries and suspensions. However, the fact it's a derby and there's a trophy at stake means it'll be more competitive than the average pre-season fixture. Morton will be fired up for this one as the look to prove a point against us and claim the local bragging rights, having last lifted the trophy back in 2005. As we went on to win two trophies that season I'd be more than happy to let them win the cup if a similarly successful season follows for the Buddies!
This game comes with both teams at different stages of their pre-season preparations. It is Saints' first proper friendly of the summer, having only played bounce games against Barnsley and a Spanish side during their getaway last week. Morton, meanwhile, are just a week away from their first game of the season and have already played a number of friendlies - including a win over Kilmarnock a few days ago. They'll arguably be much more prepared, which could stand them in good stead for tomorrow's match.
The Saints team that starts tomorrow will be a bit different from the one that finished last season, mainly because of the number of departures rather than new arrivals. So far there have been just three signings in the shape of Sam Parkin, Lewis Guy and Jon Robertson. A fourth - trialist goalie Grant Adam - may follow but that looks like being it. Tomorrow could give us an indication of what sort of side we're going to go with in the coming campaign. Steven Thompson is likely to start but will we go with the battering ram approach by pairing him with Parkin or will we try to mix and match with Guy playing alongside him?
Gary Teale, Darren McGregor, Graham Carey and Jim Goodwin all picked up niggling injuries during their time in the Spanish sun but they should have recovered enough from those to feature tomorrow. With McGregor and Teale not appearing in either of the "friendlies" so far it wouldn't be a surprise to see them both start as they bid to catch up on some match practice. The game could give us an indication on who will be playing in defence this season. McGregor is likely to be first pick so it'll either be Marc McAusland or Lee Mair that joins him at the back. The smaller squad means youngsters will get more of a shot so it's just a well the likes of Thomas Reilly, Ross Meechan and Sean Kelly impressed in Spain and they could be involved tomorrow.
I picked Morton as dark horses for last season's first division title and they promptly finished third bottom of the table – shows you what I know! I don't quite know what went wrong as they have a decent manager in Allan Moore and had a fairly good squad. They also didn't have any money worries to concern themselves with - not a fact many other lower league sides can lay claim to. They'll need to improve greatly this season, especially with talk of league reconstruction on the cards.
A fair number of players left Morton over the summer - the squad page on their website is a bit thin - but Moore has been busy bringing in replacements. Some of them are guys who have been playing in the SPL in recent seasons but are now probably too old to cut it at the top level. Defender Mark McLaughlin, who arrives from Hamilton, and Dunfermline's Martin Hardie are good examples of that. However, they are still good first division players - McLaughlin is solid at the back and Hardie's set piece delivery can cause problems from any team. David Graham has also made the move from East End Park although the forward will be aiming to prove he can still play in the SPL.
Other summer signings include young defenders Jordan Halsman and Scott Taggart and Queen of the South's Craig Reid. Jason Naismith has been brought in from ourselves in a bid to strengthen the back, although the young loanee probably won't be allowed out to play tomorrow. With Kevin Rutkiewicz all on trial it seems Moore was less than impressed with his side's defensive efforts last season and has made strides to improve that greatly for the upcoming campaign. Whether sticking with former Saints goalie Alan Combe is the way to go remains to be seen.
At least he has some talent up front. Peter MacDonald - much hated by Buddies fans for his antics while with St Johnstone - and youngster Archie Campbell should make a good partnership, with Peter Weatherston providing competition. There is also the prospect of another Hawke wearing the blue and white hoops - young striker Lewis hoping to follow in his dad Warren's footsteps by making himself a hero at Cappielow. He scored his first senior goal at the tail end of last season and big things are expected from the youngster. Hopefully he won't deliver them tomorrow!
NOTE: Due to me being away all of Friday and Saturday no details of the game will be on the site until sometime on Sunday. Just thought I'd put that out there incase someone accuses me of hiding when we lose! To make up for this there should be a proper(ish) report from next Friday's game at Carlisle.
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