McInnes: Rest won't guarantee win
Derek McInnes is glad his Aberdeen side enjoyed a well-earned rest last weekend, but insists it does not guarantee them anything from the Premiership clash with St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
The Pittodrie club asked the SPFL for their home game against St Mirren to be postponed due to their gruelling early season schedule, which included six Europa League qualifiers.
The cancellation allowed the Dons players to recuperate before preparing for the visit to Perth, and McInnes told RedTV: "We took the decision to postpone last weekend's match and I think that was the right decision.
"We felt strong enough to put the request in and St Mirren were good enough to allow us to have the game postponed.
"I felt it was a stretch too far with regards the demands on the players since the start of the season.
"But it doesn't guarantee you anything other than we've had a good week to prepare.
"Hopefully we put in a strong performance because we'll need that if we are to get anything from the game."
Aberdeen go into the game buoyed by a 2-0 win at Kilmarnock in their last outing while Tommy Wright's side, who were also involved in Europa League qualifiers, lost 1-0 at newly-promoted Hamilton last weekend.
However, former St Johnstone boss McInnes claims Saints' powers of recovery make them formidable opponents.
He said: "I think St Johnstone may have suffered a lot from travelling and the amount of games they've had, but what I've always felt about them is that when they've had a disappointing result they normally bounce back quite quickly. And that's the sign of a good team.
"They had a very strong home record last season and they are always difficult opponents.
"We're going to have a tough match on our hands but we need to go there looking forward to the game.
"I think we take confidence from the Kilmarnock game, against an improved Kilmarnock team, where we played some decent stuff and won the game with a bit of quality as well.
"If we mirror that performance then it's a game we can win."
Jeffrey Monakana has been ruled out. The 20-year-old midfielder, on loan with the Dons from Brighton, has a minor infection in his lower back but should be available again next week.
Skipper Russell Anderson returns after being left out of the last game against Kilmarnock due to the artificial pitch at Rugby Park, while Clark Robertson is closer to seeing some action after stepping up his fitness levels following his recovery from knee surgery.
Simon Lappin admits St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright did not need to use too much persuasion to sign him following the Perth club's recent success.
The 31-year-old joined Saints on Thursday after ending a seven-year spell in English football, where he played for Norwich, Cardiff and Sheffield United.
The former St Mirren and Motherwell midfielder knows he is joining a club that is still on a high following their William Hill Scottish Cup success in May, and he is happy to be a part of the feel-good factor.
Lappin turned down interest from Major League Soccer and could make his Saints debut when Aberdeen visit McDiarmid Park on Saturday.
Lappin told STV: "I'm absolutely thrilled. The club has been going well, obviously with the success they had last season. And I am delighted to be a part of that and grateful to the manager for giving me the opportunity to come to a fantastic club.
"I have known him from a few years back when he was goalkeeping coach at Norwich, and when I spoke to him a few weeks ago he didn't have to sell the club too much to me.
"I'm delighted to be here and I'm thoroughly looking forward to the season ahead."
Lappin could make his debut while Dave Mackay is available after his red card against Celtic was rescinded.
Source: PA
