ON many levels, it is already emerging as an informative case study of why professional football in Scotland finds itself in such a sorry, disjointed state.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle play host to St Johnstone this evening in a top-level league incapable of finding a sponsor and a match, despite involving two teams in the top six, deemed to be of so little interest that people can pay whatever they like at the door to get in.

The "pay-what-you-can" plan is an interesting experiment as the national sport wakes up to the fact it has lost touch with large swathes of its core support. Although a desperate measure in a game that no longer knows its own worth, it is, at least, some kind of inventive gesture aimed at re-engaging people.

St Johnstone chose to publicise this special incentive to their followers by banning the entire playing staff from talking about it.

Or anything else to do with the match, for that matter.

Their public relations department had issued invitations to McDiarmid Park yesterday morning with the promise of interview opportunities aplenty. It was only when they got there through the ice and snow along with a handful of media representatives from across the country that they realised the manager, Tommy Wright, was having none of it.

The exact reasons remain unclear. There was some talk of an established rule that the squad must not speak to strangers with notepads the day before a game. It seemed to be news to everyone. Mind you, as breaking it would clearly cause some kind of potentially fatal rip in the fabric of space and time, informing people of its existence on a purely need-to-know basis is perhaps wise.

All of this left Wright, himself, at centre stage. He used the platform to point out just how ludicrous it is that the Scottish Professional Football League have insisted the match goes ahead on this date with a 7.45pm kick-off at all.

Cut-price entry or not, only the diehards who would have been prepared to pay the normal prices will take their lives in their hands to travel up the A9 from Perth. Simple as that.

"I think it [pay-what-you-can] is a good initiative," said the Northern Irishman. "I think it has worked at Albion Rovers, but we talk about summer football and we don't help ourselves by putting league games on in midweek in the middle of January.

"This year, there are no midweek games after the split and you play five Saturdays.

"There was always at least one midweek game and I know that can affect crowds, but playing games in the middle of January affects people attending games as well.

"There are the travel issues. The weather's bad, so I don't know why midweek games can't be played at the end of March or in April or why we can't fit extra ones in during August or September.

"They'll have a reason for doing it. There will be some explanation, but the season goes on to May 24 this year, so there's plenty of time to play games.

"I know the argument will be that if we play midweek, we'll lose gates, but surely playing a midweek game in April is better than playing in the middle of January?"

Wright understands why clubs are now prepared to let people into their matches for next to nothing in the hope the experience encourages them to return on a more regular basis.

"The league is definitely missing teams like Hearts and Rangers in terms of attendances," he said. "There are more people participating in sport and other sports which have come through. With satellite TV, you can watch games from the English Premier League in the comfort of your own home at 5.30pm.

"I think our gates are up this year and gates in general are up, but there is more to do.

"We know they are not at the levels they might have been five or 10 years ago, but gone are the days where football was the only thing people did on Saturday."

It is shaping up to be an expensive old week for those who do go out and watch St Johnstone. Having beaten Partick Thistle 2-0 at the weekend, tonight's match and the visit of Aberdeen on Friday will see them play three games in six days.

"Every club has had that and you understand you've got to deal with that, but I don't think you should have to deal with it in the middle of winter," said Wright.

"The principle of the thing is: why are we playing midweek games in the middle of January?"

Chris Millar may well miss tonight's match after visiting a specialist for a scan on the persistent groin complaint that forced him out of the win over Partick after just 24 minutes.

James McFadden remains suspended with Brian Easton doubtful and Murray Davidson out with a groin complaint, but the recent return of Steven Maclean to the fray has been a bonus for the Perth club.

Maclean was told his career was touch-and-go after undergoing knee surgery last season and returned to produce an heroic performance in the Scottish Cup final victory over Dundee United.

He has been back under the knife again this season and his problems have struck a chord with his manager. Wright went through an estimated

10 operations on his knee during the course of his career and once spent the best part of three seasons on the sidelines.

"On Saturday, Steven's link-up play was excellent and I think he's one of the reasons why we started the game well," said Wright. "He's close to being back to what he should be.

"I was out for two-and-a-half years. I never kicked a ball and never got out of a physio's room, so, when they are out for four months, I

say: 'Don't worry about it.'

"I try to joke with them not to worry about it and that it's not as bad as what I went through, but it is difficult.

"Steven, when he comes back from the consultant, will have been told he is out for four months, but he'll always say he'll be back in three

- and he's always back early.

"It is a concern, though, and I've told him there will be times where I'll have to rest him because I want him still playing. He's got another year left on his contract after this and I want him to see that contract out."