Derek McInnes sprang a surprise on everybody when he put Jonatan Johansson straight into the St Johnstone side on Tuesday night.

Jonatan Johansson only knew he was playing against Dundee United when he scanned the teamsheet on Tuesday night. He was as surprised as almost everyone at McDiarmid Park that he was playing in the Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final. Although Johansson was obviously aware he had penned a deal until January, he was not expecting to start the 2-1 win. The news that he had signed only became apparent to the rest of the football world when his name was printed on the teamsheet. The contract had been agreed on Monday but only signed on Tuesday. Johansson said: "There were some technical issues we had to go through. So I didn't really didn't know that I would be in the squad and I didn't know until just before the game that I was playing."

Johansson had been training with Derek McInnes' men for a number of weeks after being released by Hibs. He accepted responsibility for failing to make the grade at Hibs, saying: "Sometimes these things happen and there's no point looking back too much and making excuses. You have to look at yourself as well. They have a very good, young squad there and I wasn't in their plans." He had signed for the Edinburgh side, then managed by countryman Mixu Paatelainen, in a bid to maintain his fitness for Finland's recent World Cup qualifiers with Wales and Germany, his 99th and 100th caps four his country. Johansson said: "I've enjoyed training with the lads here and the way the manager wants to play football I think really suits me. I didn't have any other good offers on the table and I felt like I wanted to keep playing. I really wanted to keep going after the internationals because it felt like I was in good shape."

McInnes thought he may not manage to get Johansson signed after the striker celebrated his 100th cap with a goal against Germany earlier this month. Johansson looked back and said: "It was a special day and thankfully I've had four internationals this season. It kept me going and I scored a few goals there to keep my confidence level because it's not always easy to keep your confidence and motivation when you don't have a team."

Johansson wants to see if he can add to his 100 caps. He is just behind Sami Hyypia (103) and would like to catch Jari Litmanen who has won 129 caps. He said: "I've talked to the manager and he wants me if I keep fitness and form. My team situation hasn't been great but I want to continue as long as possible. It's very hard to tell your country, 'No'."

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