SAINTS assistant boss John Gorman will watch Marian Pahars performance for Latvia against Scotland on Saturday with split loyalties.

As one of the Latvian hitman's management, Gorman is rooting for his man, but as a loyal Scot he is hoping Pahars doesn't do too much damage in Scotland's opening World Cup qualifier in Riga.

"We've been kidding each other all week but his last words to me as he left to join up with his team-mates were 'I hope you are a Marian Pahars supporter.'

"I suppose ideally, I would like a Scotland win, but with Marian scoring a couple of consolation goals," says Gorman who described the little Latvian as "a little bit special," after his double-goal performance in Saints heroic fightback against Liverpool.

That double-goal salvo certainly focussed the Scots' attention on Pahars, who is Latvia's best-known player.

His goalscoring feats south of the border certainly hasn't escaped the attentions of Scotland boss Craig Brown who this week labelled him: "An exceptional talent and a very dangerous player."

Meanwhile, Gorman stressed that Saints are in no rush to offload Pahars' strike partner James Beattie.

Gorman would not confirm that Crystal Palace and Huddersfield have both shown interest in the striker, but said: "At the moment he's very much in our plans, especially with Kevin Davies injured.

"If a player isn't playing in the first team regularly you expect other clubs to show an interest, but we've been delighted with James' attitude.

"He's been very professional, got on with his job in the reserves and we wouldn't want to see him leave the club."

Meanwhile, Gorman also dismissed speculation linking Saints with Hearts midfielder Colin Cameron.

Cameron, 27, has been linked with several English clubs including Ipswich but Gorman said: "We don't need a midfielder, we've got more than enough in that department."

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