Injury-hit Craig Beattie released by St Johnstone
By Eric Nicolson, 25 January 2013 3.32pm.

Former Scotland striker Craig Beattie has left St Johnstone by “mutual consent”,

It’s fair to say the former Celtic, Hearts and Scotland striker won’t be troubling the Saints Hall of Fame, as he didn’t start a single match in an injury-plagued six months.

There were a couple of brief substitute appearances, but McDiarmid Park fans never saw the best of the 29-year-old.

He spent a few days on trial at Notts County recently and it remains to be seen if he can find a club for the second part of the season, or if funds are given to Saints boss Steve Lomas to bring in a striker to replace him.

A Saints statement read: “The contract between St Johnstone FC and Craig Beattie has been terminated by mutual consent. The club wishes Craig every future success.”

Meanwhile, now that Peter Pawlett’s loan spell in Perth has been ended, Lomas has turned his thoughts to making sure the Aberdeen winger doesn’t become a thorn in their side when the two teams meet next week.

Saints have a free weekend as a consequence of scheduled opponents Celtic being in League Cup action.

So next up are the Dons at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday night, when Pawlett could be lining up for the opposition.

Lomas said: “It was disappointing to lose Peter but he was always Aberdeen’s player.

“He maybe didn’t have his best of games against Motherwell last weekend but he gave us width and pace. I genuinely thought we’d see the best of him in the second half of the season.

“It’s ironic that our next game is against Aberdeen and I just hope he doesn’t come back to haunt us next week.”

Lomas is hoping to bring in a Pawlett replacement. He is still keen on QPR’s Michael Doughty, but the Welshman isn’t a winger.

He said: “I know money is tight but we are seeing clubs like Ross County and St Mirren having a go with some new signings.

“We have got to try and be creative. Michael is a good prospect but not a like for like replacement for Peter who can take people on. It’s a case of wait and see.”

Meanwhile Aberdeen boss Craig Brown has welcomed Pawlett back.

He said: “After the disappointing departure of Ryan Fraser, we’ll need all hands on deck and Peter Pawlett is a talented young man who proved that in his games for the Perth side.”

Taken from The Courier