IAN GIBSON AT 'MANIFEST DESTINY' LAUNCH

IAN GIBSON AT 'MANIFEST DESTINY' LAUNCH

26th July 2016

PHOTO: Ian Gibson (right) holds a copy of the new book alongside John Lambie and Jim Morton.

One famous face attending St Johnstone’s “Manifest Destiny” book launch was former player and manager Ian Gibson. The midfielder, who played for Saints from 1983-87 and lead the side as player manager from 1985 was delighted to be back at the club and to catch up with some familiar faces.

“I’ve enjoyed it, it’s been good seeing the guys that I played with, and the likes of Geoff Brown, and Atholl (Henderson) and Bruce, who was the commissionaire at the time – it’s been great.”

In over 130 appearances, Gibson had plenty of highlights, but a memorable winter derby day at Dens Park was the former Saints and Dundee United players pick of the bunch.

“One of my highlights at the club would have been a free kick I scored against Dundee. We only had ten men as Derek Addison had been sent off and it was the winner as well. It was just after Christmas but just before New Year – and it was a fair distance as well, must have been 25-30 yards.”

Having seen Saints’ recent success, one aspect of the club which struck Gibson was the way it operates in the boardroom.

“I’m impressed by the way the club is run. If you look at a lot of the other clubs in Scotland, some of them are in dire straights, but St Johnstone always seem to be in a very even keel. I must say as well, their last couple of managerial appointments have been good.”

As a former manager, Gibson sees real potential in Tommy Wright, and believes the Northern Irishman is destined for big things.

“He looks like a good guy to work for, as a player he’d be good to work under. I think he looks like a big, honest guy who says it as it is, and I hope he does well.”

interview by Ross Gardiner

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