Danny Lennon used the kid gloves treatment on teenager John McGinn after his international exploits with the Scotland Under-19s.
Midfielder McGinn was on international duty with Ricky Sbragia’s side last week as they took on The Netherlands in an international challenge match.
McGinn pl ayed for 75 minutes during the Scots’ 2-1 defeat – but he failed to make the Saints squad for Saturday’s SPL trip to the north east to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Lennon revealed that he withdrew McGinn from the weekend squad to keep him fresh for the games to come.
He said: “John was travelling with Scotland last week and played 75 minutes, so that was an early call-off by myself when he arrived back on Thursday. It’s nothing more than that.
