St Johnstone bolster firepower

St Johnstone have confirmed the signing of Colchester United striker Denny Johnstone on a season-long loan deal.

The 22-year-old will go into the Saints squad for the Ladbrokes Premiership clash with Celtic at Parkhead on Saturday.

Boss Tommy Wright was pleased to bring in a player he believes “ticks a lot of of boxes” for the McDiarmid Park side.

He said: ”I am pleased to get him. He has got quality and in the market we are in, it is a great option.

”He will improve the team. He is only 22, he has a presence and when you look at his record in the Championship with Morton, he scored 14 or 15 goals in 30 games or so, and we want to try to get him back to that.”

Johnstone came through the youth ranks at Celtic but did not feature for the first team before joining Birmingham City in 2014.

After loan spells with Macclesfield Town, Cheltenham Town, Burton Albion and Morton, he signed for Colchester in 2016.

Even from distance the former Scotland Under-19 player has kept abreast of Celtic’s remarkable unbeaten domestic run.

The treble winners have not lost to a Scottish side since a 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park on May 11, 2016.

Asked what it would mean to be the one who brought the Hoops’ record to an end, he said: ”It would be massive.

”That would be the best scenario, fingers crossed.

”I had a look at the fixtures and it was a funny one when I seen it and I am delighted that hopefully I will be in the squad for that one.

"I am very much looking forward to going back there.

”Callum McGregor was in the same reserves side as I was and now he is flourishing.

”They are absolutely flying and they still have that record going and all the teams will be desperate to take that away from them as soon as possible.”

Johnstone revealed that manager Wright was ”a major factor” in his decision to join the Perth club.

He said: ”He called me and outlined his plans for me and it was impressive.

”I am still at the age where I can develop my game and he can be the best manager for that.

”There is nothing better than playing for a club that has good ambition and St Johnstone have definitely got that."