FORMER Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has looked back across the water to bring new blood to his American side Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Neilson has been with the USL Championship side since 2023 when he left Tynecastle for the third time, once as a player and twice as manager.
Former Hearts manager Robbie Neilson is now at Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida[/caption]
Cammy MacPherson has fallen out of favour at St Johnstone[/caption]
He last played a match on October 6 at Ibrox[/caption]
Currently in a break from their domestic season, Neilson and his assistant – former Rangers and Motherwell player Nicky Law – have cast their minds back to the Scottish Premiership for a signing.
Making the long switch is St Johnstone’s Cammy MacPherson, who last played a match for the Perth club back in October – a 2-0 loss to Rangers.
That could prove to be the last of his Saints CAREER with a loan deal until the end of the season co-inciding with the end of his McDiarmid Park contract.
MacPherson missed large portions of the previous two seasons for the Saints through injury but when he was fit he had a part to play, making more than 70 appearances.
However this season, the midfielder has fallen out of favour with fans at McDiarmid Park – and was only noted on the bench as an unused sub twice in the last five months.
Back in August he caused controversy when his social media account shared an online documentary by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson.
The doc, entitled ‘Silenced’ was reposted on the 26-year-old’s X account during a period when “pro-UK” rallies were being organised by Robinson and the English Defence League.
After fan backlash St Johnstone issued a statement from owner Adam Webb where he apologised for the “distraction.
It read: “The recent actions of Cammy MacPherson violated standard provisions in all player contracts and St Johnstone‘s rules of conduct to which all players must agree.
“Such actions are not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Cammy is subject to disciplinary action pursuant to these policies.
“We have reminded all players of our rules of conduct and we have strengthened the rules further to ensure that no player is empowered to distract the club and antagonise any of our supporters, whether or not such offence is intentional.
“On the other hand, I have now heard Cammy’s explanation for the mistake that he made. This was an unintentional lapse of judgement, and not an intentional effort to harm or disparage anyone.
“I can assure you Cammy understands and agrees that this is a club that is open to all. His contrition is real and he has learned a valuable lesson. But we must not let ourselves get carried away; a young man’s life and career are at stake.
“I apologise to all Saints fans for this distraction. We have important work to do, on the pitch and off. We must work together or we have no chance.”
The player apologised to fans too: “I would like to start by apologising for reposting a film that appeared on my X account.
“I have shown poor judgement without considering the club’s code of conduct.
“Upon reflection, and my own further research, I fully understand why people have been so upset and angry regarding this situation.
“I have the greatest respect for St Johnstone FC, for my team-mates and for our supporters. I know the club is and always will be a club for everyone. A club and an environment where I am immensely proud to be involved.
“I’d like to thank my team-mates and family for their unwavering support for me in what has been a challenging time this past week.
MacPherson scores against Inverness to help keep St Johnstone up in the 2021/22 playoff[/caption]
“I have now fully understood the impact of my actions and I am committed to learning from this experience.”
MacPherson’s Florida move is a loan until the end of the season, but his contract with Simo Valakari’s side expires then too.
He said: “It’s been a really good first few weeks for me here.
“The Rowdies facilities are top class, and the boys are a really good bunch of boys.
“Coach Robbie was eager to get me in and he said he thinks I can be a big help to the team. It’s great to have his confidence in me, but now it’s on me to go and show that I can help the team the way he thinks I can.
“It’ll also be good for me to get new experiences playing in a different league, a different country. I’m looking forward to it all.”
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