ST Johnstone yesterday completed the #100,000 signing of Gary Bollan from Rangers, convinced that he can belatedly become one of the best defenders in the country.

That seemed a formality when he captained various Scotland youth sides and effectively filled a variety of positions with Dundee United.

However, his career went into reverse following a move to Ibrox in tandem with Alex Cleland, but Paul Sturrock, one of his mentors at Tannadice, never lost faith in him.

The McDiarmid Park manager, who will thrust Bollan into action today against Aberdeen, said: ''It was always going to be difficult to establish himself at Ibrox, given the calibre of players brought there.

''He then suffered a serious injury which kept him out for an entire year and pushed him further into the background. He is still only 25, though, and there is ample time to fulfil his potential.

''I know the qualities he poss-esses and he can perform equally well in a number of roles, which gives me options. Following the sale of Callum Davidson to Blackburn, we are lacking in left-sided players and badly needed cover.''

While five players - keeper Alan Main, defenders Alan Kernaghan, Jim Weir, midfielder Phil Scott and striker Roddy Grant - were able to resume training yesterday, all will have fitness tests today to decide if they are up to demands of a derby.

Sturrock added: ''This will be a difficult game because Aberdeen are gaining in confidence through better organisation. I want my team to concentrate on recapturing the qualities which served us so well earlier in the season and give of their best, for that is what it will take to win this one.''

For Aberdeen the priority is to discover the lost art of winning on the road. In the past year only once, at Motherwell last October, have they succeeded in lifting all three points.

''This is a frightening record,'' manager Alex Miller conceded. ''We have spoken to the players about it and the need to have a different mentality to change this run away from home.

''The first stage of our rehabilitation has been done by winning our last four games at Pittodrie. Now we need to move to the next level.

''To do this we must remain tighter and more as a unit and, when an attack breaks down, we must get our shape back as quickly as possible. Recently we have shown a tendency to lose late goals. This happens when players are tired and at that stage there can be no stupid runs to regain possession. Players must learn to ration themselves sensibly.

''If they are getting a doing then the objective must be to limit the damage. However, their response has been good. They are working hard to learn and correct faults.''

Meanwhile, he and his back- room team have been working hard to identify players to strengthen his side. Their focus is on those available under freedom of contract and they have been on the Continent as well as in England.

Next week his assistant, Paul Hegarty, will be in Barcelona to study their youth development scheme and attend a high-powered UEFA coaching course under the eye of Andy Roxburgh.

Today the Dons will be without striker Mike Newell, who has a foot injury. His absence presents an opportunity for Billy Dodds to press his claims to stay in Scotland's World Cup plans.

The diminutive striker is aware that time is not an ally and must get back in the team and score goals to achieve his ambition this summer. A sound performance against his former club would be a start to ending a frustrating time since the management changed at Pittodrie.

BOOKIES' VIEW: St Johnstone - 10-11, Aberdeen - 3-1, Draw - 9-4.