St Johnstone 2-1 Bristol Ciy: Lomas keen to land Vine
Scorers: St Johnstone - Vine (2, 37); Bristol City - Stead (45)
The English Championship club have former Saints manager Derek McInnes at the helm and he enticed captain Jody Morris south from McDiarmid Park.
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Hide AdBoth were given warm receptions during a game for which home manager Steve Lomas rested many of those who had tasted Europa League action against Eskisehirspor on Thursday.
In their place were a trio of trialists. Jamaica internationalist Keammar Daley – the younger brother of Motherwell’s Omar – who has been transfer-listed by Preston North End, and Ryan Donaldson, a 21-year-old freed by Newcastle United, were given the chance to impress.
But it was 29-year-old Vine who impressed with a superb double that was countered by Jon Stead’s header. Vine was once signed by Birmingham from Luton for £3 million and left for QPR for £1m. No surprise, then, that Lomas is keen to construct a deal for the striker despite financial uncertainty.
“Hopefully something can be done,” he said. “But until the chairman feels a little bit more comfortable with the scenario, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
For City, Morris dictated play and he said afterwards: “I had a great time here and have some great friends here, and the club was good to me. Obviously I’ll be wishing them all the best.”