St Andrews United gaffer Greg Shields hails loanee ex-Motherwell striker
After watching recent six-week loan signing from Cowdenbeath, Zack Tomany, make his St Andrews United debut in last Saturday’s 2-1 league loss at Whitburn, boss Greg Shields says he is optimistic that the ex-Motherwell youth player can make a significant impact as he builds up towards 100% fitness.
Trailing 1-0 at half-time at Central Park to Alex Webb’s bundled effort, Saints levelled after 67 minutes when Jason Thomson headed in following a corner.
But, after a misplaced United pass in midfield, Whitburn launched a quick break which culminated in Ross Crawford shooting a winner past Thomas Margetts.
However, one positive for Saints was 18-year-old forward Tomany, who played for an hour in a lively first appearance.
And Shields said: “Obviously, the result was a disappointment. It was really only our second game in about six weeks and it could have gone either way.
"We made a sloppy mistake, they scored from it and that's football at this level. It was tough because I didn't think we deserved to lose the game.
"But something we've maybe lacked is pace beyond and Zak obviously gives us that. He's been out for a long time with a hamstring problem and he was only taken off as a precaution to look after him. Because when fatigue kicks in and you've had a hamstring strain, it's easy to push him.
"The last thing I want is him getting injured playing for me by pushing him too hard and we knew that when we signed him. So he came off after 60 minutes.
"He’s pacy, very similar to Finlay Allan last year when we had him on loan from Dundee, he’s direct, loves to play on the shoulder and is a decent dribbler, a real threat and a real handful. It’s a continuation this weekend on Zack’s minutes and we'll get him up to speed in the six weeks he’s here.”
St Andrews are now 10th in the East of Scotland Football League Premier Division with 23 points from 18 matches ahead of hosting fourth-placed Dunipace in a 2.30pm league kick-off this Saturday.
Shields said: “Dunipace are a very good side, they're a good test for us, very strong and powerful. They're good all over the pitch so we'll have to be on top form to be a match for them. It’s another difficult game and hopefully it will be on.”