St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean ready to deal in Austrian midfielder Sven Sprangler

St Johnstone manager Steven MacLean is ready to deal in Austrian midfielder Sven Sprangler.

The 28-year-old has impressed while on trial with the Perth club across the past week and he is set to play in a bounce game on Tuesday.

He even travelled with the team on Saturday and was an interested spectator as Saints picked up a hard-working 0-0 draw with Celtic in Glasgow.

Sprangler, who has plenty of experience with the likes of SV Mattersburg and Wolfsberger AC, was most recently playing his football with Vorwärts Steyr.

Perth boss MacLean has liked what he has seen and hopes the move can be made official by the end of the week.

MacLean told the PA: “We are exploring whether we can do something with Sven.

“He’s done really well, he’s got something about him.

“He fitted in really well, he travelled with the lads to the Celtic game on Saturday so was able to take it all in.

“He’s going to play in a game for us on Tuesday down at Bonnyrigg too.

“We are looking into the permits and all the paperwork you have to do to get players into the country now.

“The club are looking at it and are trying to speed the process up.

“It would be good to get it done and hopefully we’ll be able to get something for him this week.”

Sprangler, MacLean says, fits more into the defensive midfield mould and would add further options to a new-look squad keen to build on their point at Celtic Park.

MacLean added: “He kicked a few people in training last week, which is something I like!

“He’s aggressive, he’s more of a destroyer type of midfielder but he’s also good on the ball.

“He is good at doing the simple things well, so he’d be a good addition.

“He’s fit and strong, and is a good age as well at 28 so would bring good experience.

“Over his