Nearly for Niemi

Last updated : 23 August 2002 By Christian Kelly

Saints New 'Keeper

After failing to get Matthew Piper, Saints fans were a little nervous as the final stages of the deal to take Antii Niemi to St. Mary's went through.

The rumour surrounding Niemi has be around for a couple of months now and it would seem that Saints had a good look before being willing to do business. Niemi is undoubtedly the best 'keeper in the SPL. In addition, he is the number one Finnish goalkeeper keeping out the Bolton and Aston Villa shot stoppers.

Niemi is now thirty and was once a target of Strachan's at Coventry before joing Rangers where his form and opportunities dipped.

Strachan is understandably delighted to have finally got his man. Gordon said: "I tried to sign him in 1997 when I was at Coventry. I met him and left him in a hotel room on a Friday night and then went on my holidays.

"When I came back, he was playing for Rangers so I'm keeping an eye on him this time!"

"He's in the price range, he's a good goalkeeper and he's got personality. What his signing does is give us a stronger goalkeeping unit at the club.

"It has worked well bringing in players of that price range and putting pressure on other people."

The fee agreed between Hearts and Saints for Niemi was £2 million and his arrival would signal the end of Paul Jones as number one 'keeper.