McInnes hails new Saint Gibson in three-goal win

Gibson completed a loan move to McDiarmid Park from League Two side Crawley Town on Wednesday and the St Johnstone boss believes the former Dunfermline winger can bring a new and much-needed dimension to his side.

McInnes said: “I was very keen to get a wide player in, for this tie especially. Playing at home you need to have someone who can isolate the full-back and I think once he gets up to speed he’ll give us a real quality of cross and hopefully be a big plus for us in the time he’s with us.

“I think we’ve been crying out for a wide player to try and get behind people and put crosses in.

“I said at the back end of last season that is what we were looking for and we’ve tried and tried to get the best ones available, and I’ve no doubt Willie has got the ability that can benefit the side.

“We’ve got a lot going for us as a team and at the start of the week we had three big games in six days.

“Beating Celtic was the start of it, getting through the next round of the cup comfortably and we want to top it off with a derby win, as difficult as that will be, against Dundee United on Saturday.”

Frazer Wright got the Saints off to the perfect start with his first goal for the club before Francisco Sandaza’s double sealed the tie.