DFC | St Johnstone boss confident of landing McMillan

Lilywhites hoping to wrap up deals for Hoban and Murray

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright’s latest comments regarding David McMillan suggest that the Lilywhites striker is on his way to the Scottish Premier Division outfit.

Wright has been chasing the 28-year-old’s signature for some time and watched McMillan in the FAI Cup final against Cork City at the Aviva Stadium earlier this month.

McMillan is currently on holiday in the far east and has yet to declare his intentions but speaking to The Courier, Wright sounds confident of getting his man.

“He scores goals, first and foremost, but he’s a very good all-round player,” said the former Northern Ireland goalkeeper.

“I have known about him for a few years. He can play with his back to goal, runs in behind and knows where the back of the net is — right foot, left foot and headers.

“He’s scored a lot of goals in the Irish league and he’s also been excellent for Dundalk in Europe. He’s scored them in the Champions League and the Europa League, which is a very high standard.

“At 28 he’s got a lot of experience and I’m sure he will be a very good addition to the squad here. Primarily I look at the number of goals he has scored and I think he can replicate that over here.

“I’ve known of him for at least the last two or three years. There are a few in that Dundalk side who have got moves.”

McMillan’s departure would come as a real blow to Dundalk but would be softened by the acquisition of former Oriel Park hero Patrick Hoban and Galway United’s Ronan Murray.

Hoban, who scored 20 league goals in Dundalk’s 2014 title win, was released by Mansfield Town back in May. A knee injury stopped him from making a move back to the League of Ireland during the summer.

Murray, meanwhile, was Galway United’s stand out performer this season - scoring 13 goals in a side that was relegated — with his performances earning him a place in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year.

Dundalk are hoping to unveil both players in the coming days — possibly at the launch of the club’s new 2018 home kit at the Marshes Shopping Centre on Friday — along with Derry City full-back Dean Jarvis and one of Murray’s Galway United teammates, centre-back Stephen Folan.

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