Star showings from duo help Saints win points

A DEPARTING star and a new one played their part as St Johnstone won 2-0 away to Aberdeen.

Danny Swanson, who has signed a pre-contract with Hibs, was set up by Craig Thomson to net Saints’ first and it was Methil boy Thomson who netted the second, his first goal for the top team.

Saints boss Tommy Wright was clearly delighted to take all three points and saw the result as some vindication for his side.

He said: “It’s a great three points. We tried to emphasise to the players all week that people wouldn’t expect us to come up here and take the three points but we’ve put in a sterling performance.

“It wasn’t a pretty game. The conditions didn’t help and the pitch didn’t help but we’ve defended well, nullified one of the best teams in the country, and provided the two minutes of quality in the game, the move that got us the free-kick, and the counter-attack that sealed the game for us.

“We were solid, we defended as we know we can do, and I can’t remember Aberdeen getting through us. I don’t think Alan Mannus has had a difficult save to make.”

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes said: “When you play St Johnstone, the first goal is always very important. When we got some flow to our game in the wide areas we looked very threatening without really causing their goalkeeper any problems.”

Meanwhile, Saints are being linked with a move for Ross County winger Ryan Dow.

Neil McCann enjoyed the win.