Brendan celebrated win over Gers but Murty didn’t go after Celtic’s kitman... onus is on Dundee to explain themselves
PREMIERSHIP DENS PARK FALLOUT Defiant Tommy insists if you can’t enjoy win with fans, it’s game over
ST JOHNSTONE boss Tommy Wright isn’t expecting any comeback after a feisty Tayside derby clash.
Wright in fact reckons his club deserve praise for keeping their cool when tempers flared following a record 4-0 away win at Dundee.
SFA compliance officer Tony McGlennan will have been reviewing Craig Thomson’s match report and footage of ugly weekend incidents at Dens Park.
But Wright swiftly absolved Zander Clark from blame after his reserve keeper intervened in a bizarre touchline spat involving Dundee boss Neil McCann and Saints kitman Manny Fowler.
He said: “I spoke to the referee and match delegate after the game and they had no problems with our behaviour. In fact we’ve had praise over the weekend about how restrained we were.”
TV footage showed McCann putting a hand on Clark’s face during a tussle near the away dugout. The keeper stepped in and grabbed McCann by the shoulder when the Dens boss clashed with Fowler.
Tempers flared again on route to the dressing room when McCann and assistant Graham Gartland reacted angrily to rival Wright’s four-punch celebration in front of jubilant Perth fans.
When the dust settled McCann dismissed his scuffle with Clark as “handbags” and said: “There was no slap, punch or anything like that.”
Wright isn’t expecting the compliance officer to make contact with Saints.
He said: “We have been vindicated by the footage of what happened after the game.
“It quite clearly shows we were the ones trying to restrain things and weren’t the aggressors in any of it. Zander did put his hand on Neil’s shoulder but he was acting as a peacemaker and trying to keep him away from our kitman. I’m not sure what triggered it.
“They had a go at Steven MacLean during the match and I had a go back at them. But it was nothing, par for the course really. We’re all passionate about the game. Neil has said about himself in the past that he is a fiery character.
“But nothing had been simmering and I don’t know why Manny should be singled out. I suppose the onus is on the other side to explain their actions.
“My celebrations with the fans happened after the incident. But maybe that’s why people waited for me at the top of the stairs to the dressing room.
“But if you can’t celebrate with your own fans let’s all shut the doors and stay in the house. I saw Brendan Rodgers celebrate his win over Rangers but I didn’t see Graeme Murty go for Celtic’s kitman.
“Look, it was a massive result for us and in a derby. I have had no problem with other managers celebrating a win over us and this was done with our fans and not at the Dundee end.
“If that annoys people it is a sad world we live in. I was there so I know what happened.
“We had no concerns about our behaviour on the day but it is good the evidence is there to back us up. Hopefully a line can be drawn under it and our total focus is on the Hibs game.”
After clocking up his first away win since victory over Rangers in December to ease five points clear of Dundee, Wright said: “It was a great performance from us and arguably the best of the season in terms of the quality, the energy and winning battles all over the pitch.
“Everyone did their jobs and that was pleasing. I put the most experienced team on the pitch I could for what was a big game. The three points were massive for us. We knew they liked to play from the back and the conditions didn’t really suit that.
“But you have to go out and execute the gameplan and they did that with their energy and workrate.”
While Wright praised his battle-hardened pros for digging deep he also flagged up influential performances from younger personnel.
He said: “They played their part. Scott Tanser is only 23. He was aggressive and we want to see more of that from him.
“Jason Kerr showed a lot of character. Chris Kane is in the same bracket. He’s still learning. He got a flea in his ear after the Killie game and responded in the right way with two goals.” SOUTHAMPTON last night sacked boss Mauricio Pellegrino after just one win in 17 league games. Saints sit one point and one place above the drop zone. FOOTBALL TODAY