Sheridan joins St Johnstone

St Johnstone today signed Celtic striker Cillian Sheridan on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Republic of Ireland player has just completed a loan spell at Plymouth, where he failed to find the net in 14 appearances for the Coca-Cola Championship club.

Sheridan played 15 games for Motherwell in the second half of last season, scoring twice.

Saints boss Derek McInnes told Press Association Sport: “He’s a player that I’ve tried to get on a couple of occasions.

“I’m delighted to get him on board.

“He’ll give us competition; he’s a different type of striker to the ones we have.

“Hopefully, he’ll be good for us and us for him.”

Saints’ leading scorer Collin Samuel is out for another three weeks with an injury picked up in early December.

Kenny Deuchar has struggled for form and fellow forwards Steven Milne and Peter MacDonald have also had spells out injured.

Sheridan could make his debut in Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League against Aberdeen, which Saints were today confident would beat the big freeze, despite the undersoil heating at McDiarmid Park breaking down this week.

The club said on their official website, www.perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk: “Sub-zero temperatures have resulted in frozen pipes throughout the stadium and plumbers have been working to ensure that the stands will be available for Saturday’s game.

“The Muirton Suite, however, will be unavailable due to the damage caused by burst pipes.

“The car park areas have been cleared and hopefully will satisfy the Match Commander.

“A major blow, however, occurred on Tuesday when a valve – subject to temperatures reaching -16C in recent weeks – sheared off the boiler to our undersoil heating system and a replacement part was required.

“This was fitted on Wednesday but when the heating was switched on this then revealed a crack in the main pump. Again, a replacement part was ordered and work continues on the system.

“The club are continuing to make every effort possible to stage Saturday’s game and we shall keep supporters updated.”