Derek McInnes knew that Jody Morris could do a job for St Johnstone and so it proved on Tuesday night.
| Derek McInnes does not believe Jody Morris is just in Scotland for a final payday. McInnes considers he still has his best years ahead of him after watching his midfielder inspire St Johnstone to a Co-operative Insurance Cup win at Easter Road. Former Chelsea midfielder Morris was the stand-out player on Tuesday night as Saints gained revenge for Saturday's 3-0 league defeat at Easter Road by winning 3-1 at the same ground four days later. Morris joined McInnes' men in February last year following a number of off-field problems as his career took a downward turn. McInnes, who played with Morris at Millwall, said: "He'd lost his way for a couple of years and his reputation went before him. I'd seen the dedication in him - he was a top professional. I like people who work hard and he trains right every day. He's still for me got three or four of his best years ahead of him. He's only 30 years old and there's nobody fitter than him. He might not have the pace but he's got the intelligence. If he's adding goals to it, even better." Morris put the seal on Tuesday night's win with a superb first-time 20-yard half-volley, his third goal of the season. His performances for promoted Saints are bound to attract interest, but McInnes said: "He's not going anywhere! You want people to play the level they can. Jody's shown he's played at Champions League level for years. But he's at a level now, Premier League. He came short-term initially but we managed to convince him because he enjoyed it here and he's been received well by the supporters at the club. We managed to get him signed and commit himself and bring his family up. And I said to him, if he comes he'll enjoy the Premier League, enjoy it better I think than the First Division. He certainly seems to have taken to that in the way he's played." Hibs boss John Hughes refused to be too critical of his players, despite seeing them surrender a lead gained after just 42 seconds. After Anthony Stokes scored his third goal in two games, Hughes' men then fell apart and were punished with a lovely Gavin Swankie equaliser and fine finish from substitute Chris Millar. The Hibs boss insists the result is a reality check to those who thought Hibs were on the verge of big things. After another inconsistent performance, Hughes said: "We've done nothing. Where I see the club, where I want to take the club, we're absolutely miles away. I'm not going to sit here and pull anybody's chain in terms of what needs doing. I'll tell it how it is. We're just going to have to be patient." | |
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