By Graeme Dey

ST JOHNSTONE yesterday continued to steal a march on the rest of next season’s would-be first division title contenders, making their sixth signing of the summer with the capture of goalkeeper Euan McLean from Dundee United.

Scotland under-21 cap McLean—released by United in exchange for a percentage of any future transfer—has penned a two-year deal and joins Liam Craig, Jody Morris, Chris Miller, Collin Samuel and Gavin Swankie in being snapped up by Saints.

Now the Perth club will look to complete the job of assembling a squad for the 2008-2009 campaign by adding a striker and left-back to their ranks.

“It’s great that we’ve done as much business as we have so far,’’ said assistant manager Tony Docherty.

“It was always our hope that we’d be as far advanced as we are and fortunately things have come together.

“Derek McInnes is clear about the kind of squad we want here and we’ll keep going till we get it.

“There are still a couple of places left to fill.

“But we want to make sure the people we bring in are the right ones.

“Despite making the number of signings we have it’s not been a case of just jumping in. We’ve done our homework and been selective.’’

Inverness hitman Graham Bayne and Dundee defender Paul Dixon are amongst those being considered to fill the remaining vacancies.

Twenty-two-year-old McLean is someone both Docherty and McInnes are well acquainted with from their time at Tannadice.

And the former believes Saints’ latest acquisition will prove a worthwhile one.

“Euan was at United four of the five years I was there so I know him well,’’ said Docherty.

“Having been at Sunderland as a kid he’s come from a good background, he has a presence about him, is a great shot- stopper and great coming for crosses.

“And he’s is at an age where he is now ready to play first-team football.

“Euan is hungry for success and we are confident he’ll help us in our bid for promotion.

“By signing Euan we now have two very capable keepers —in him and Alan Main— who’ll be fighting it out for the number one jersey.

“You see from the squad we are building up that we want competition for places all over the park.

“And we think Alan and Euan will be a great combination.

“Derek and I have been really impressed with Alan Main, not just as a goalkeeper but also as a coach and a leader.

“And we believe Alan will develop Euan even further as a keeper and a person.’’

McLean revealed that despite interest from elsewhere joining Saints was a no brainer.

“I was speaking to a few other clubs,’’ he said. “But the interest Tony Doc and Derek McInnes showed made clear just how much I was wanted at St Johnstone.

“And, looking at the signings Saints have made, they’ve a right good chance of going up next year.

“I spoke to my friend Greg Cameron, who was here last season on loan, about making the move to Perth and he was very positive about his experience.

“Cameron said the atmosphere within the club was brilliant and that this is a team going places.

“I was fairly disappointed to be released by United because I thought I’d done well when I played.

“But Lukasz Zaluska got in the team and did well so I wasn’t in Craig Levein’s plans which is fair enough.

“And rather than find myself understudying Lukasz it’s better I move onto somewhere I’m going to have the chance of playing.

“It’s good to have something sorted out before I go on holiday because that way I can relax.

“And this is such a great opportunity for me I couldn’t let it pass.

“I have great respect for Derek McInnes and Tony Doc and the prospect of working with Alan Main is one I’m looking forward to.

“I’ve not come here to play second fiddle. But I know it’ll be hard to displace Alan.

“I watched the semi-final against Rangers and his performance was age defying.

“He was incredible. He remains one of the best keepers in Scotland.’’