Jason Scotland.................

<font size="2">Birmingham City and Swansea City have joined former club Dundee United in the race to sign St Johnstone's Trinidad and Tobago striker, Jason Scotland. </font>

But Saints manager Owen Coyle has not given up hope of retaining the 28-year-old, despite missing out on reaching the Scottish Premier League. </p>

&quot;We have put an offer to Jason to remain and there is no doubt in my mind that we have improved him,&quot; he said. </p>

&quot;However, we are conscious of the level of finance at which we are operating.&quot; </p>

United manager Craig Levein has refused to be drawn on any interest in Scotland. </p>

Scotland spent two years at Tannadice - scoring 10 goals - before a Home Office decision denied him an extension to his work permit in 2005. <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="208" align="right" border="0"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 5px"></td><td class="sibStdQuote"><div><div class="mva">I'm sure there will be a lot of interest, but there's nothing I can do to stop that
</div></div><div class="mva"><div class="mva">St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle</div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></p>

He was then snapped up by the Perth club, who had their application approved. </p>

But he is out of contract with Saints at the end of August and is thought to be keen on a return to his former club. </p>

&quot;Jason's a great player and I'd love to keep him here,&quot; said Coyle. </p>

&quot;We'll just have to wait and see what happens.&quot; </p>

Scotland's agent, Michael Berry, revealed to BBC Sport that there is interest in the 26-goal striker both in Scotland and England. </p>

The striker scored for St Johnstone in Saturday's 4-3 victory over Hamilton, but it was not enough to prevent Gretna clinching the championship and promotion. </p>

Coyle announced on Tuesday that fellow forward Derek Lilley, goalkeeper Bryn Halliwell and midfielder Neil Janczyk were all leaving the club in the summer. </p>

But Coyle hopes Scotland will remain an important part of his squad for next season. </p>

&quot;I'm not daft, I know how good a player he is and I'm sure there will be a lot of interest, but there's nothing I can do to stop that,&quot; he added. </p>

If Scotland does move on elsewhere, he will require a new work permit. </p>

 

Boo Derek Lilley

I remember that git! He's thge one that scord the winner against us in the prem!