Goalkeeper now a doubt for Hampden conflict
St Mirren are sweating over the health of goalkeeper Shamal George for Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final in opposition to Celtic after their No 1 picked up an injury in training.
George – on mortgage from Wycombe – had managed to get well from the trapped nerve in his neck which noticed him changed by Ryan Mullen within the first half of the 1-0 Premiership defeat by the Hoops at Parkhead final Saturday, however has since sustained an ankle knock.
Interim boss Craig McLeish revealed some concern round George forward of the last-four tie at Hampden after the 28-year-old needed to minimize quick a training session on the SMISA Stadium on Thursday afternoon. If he fails to make it, McLeish must flip to Mullen, who was solely making his second league look for St Mirren since signing from Morton final summer time.
McLeish mentioned: “We need to assess it. He’s only just went over to his ankle, so we’re hoping that he’s going to be OK. We have to take precautions and just take the weight off it straight away.
“Ryan came in at the weekend and did great throughout the game in place of Shamal. The physio is with him just now so we’ll see how that goes, but if Ryan steps in then we’re more than comfortable and confident with what Ryan can do as well.
“He had to go on as a substitute goalkeeper, as a back-up goalkeeper. To go in the way he did at Celtic Park in front of the fans and the crowd and to look so assured – and we’re obviously playing a little bit differently, where we’re asking more of the goalkeepers with the ball at their feet – he gave us so much of that in the second half as well.
“So, the fact that he’s done it so recently and he may have to do it again – we need to wait on Shamal’s update – then whoever’s in and goals for us, we’re confident with whatever we go with.”
St Mirren are hoping to achieve their second remaining of the season and defeated Celtic 3-1 at Hampden again in December to win the Premier Sports Cup.
