Source: FOOTYMAD
Hard To Get Up For A Game When You Have Been Sacked
Yesterday's game between St Mirren and St Johnstone must have been affected by the imminent departures Danny Lennon paid tribute to outgoing St Mirren captain John Potter following the defender's final game for the club, against St Johnstone on Saturday. The 0-0 draw came just 24 hours after Potter was told he had no future with the Buddies. The defender and Craig Dargo were the most high-profile of 11 players who were told they would have to find new clubs as their contracts were not being renewed. The pair were the only ones on show in an uneventful finale to the SPL season. Lennon had hoped his side would finish with a flourish with the pressure of possible relegation being released after securing their safety with a 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Tuesday. However, he admitted with an uncertain time ahead it was a bit ambitious to see player produce of their best. Lennon said: "It was a very, very difficult week. There was delight and relief on Tuesday but I knew I would have to do the ugly bit of the business. That happened yesterday and it was very difficult. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their efforts and commitment and, more importantly, their professionalism has been terrific. Regardless of whether they take the offer, I wish the players and their families all the best. I think John Potter deserves a particular mention. It was a big, big call for me and a difficult one because he is a top, top bloke to have in the dressing room. That will be sorely missed but hopefully somebody can step in and do half as good a job as he did." Lennon said of the game: "It was a poor show, to be fair. Much appreciation to the supporters who came out. It was just a pity there wasn't more excitement for them." St Johnstone also had players playing their last game for their club. Manager Derek McInnes gave striker Peter MacDonald to armband after being told his 10 years at McDiarmid Park had come to an end. St Johnstone are expected to confirm the full list of departures later today Monday and McInnes admitted the game had been affected by the time of the year. He said: "As much as you guard against it and hope it's not going to be like that, it was typical end-of-season fare. It looked like both teams had nothing to play for. I know both managers had some tough decisions to make and that was possibly hanging over the day. Both teams didn't do enough in the final third to win it, but equally both teams defended resolutely. There was no lack of commitment but a lack of quality at times."
