O’Halloran again a main man as Saints triumph

MICHAEL O’Halloran was again a major player as he scored the only goal in St Johnstone’s 1-0 home win over Partick Thistle.

The on-loan Rangers player netted his fourth goal in three matches for the Perth men when he ran on to a great through-ball from Steven Anderson to net in the 32nd minute.

Saints’ boss Tommy Wright said: “Michael showed superb composure when he netted. It was a great finish from him. He has been getting praise and has dealt well with all the adulation.

“He was one of my main targets in the summer and the club were very stubborn in not giving up in our efforts to bring him in.”

Saints are sitting second top of the Premiership with full points from three games.

Celtic sit just above them and the pair meet at Parkhead this Saturday.

Saints were the last side to defeat Celtic domestically and, although he knows his club face a very tough task, Tommy said his men go to Celtic Park with great confidence.

“Maybe we can cause a major surprise,” he commented.

Saints’ win against Partick meant they set a club record by winning their first three Premiership matches and the victory came on the 28th anniversary of their first-ever competitive match at McDiarmid Park, a 2-1 win over Clydebank.

Tommy went on: “Although I’m pleased we won, there were aspects of our game I wasn’t happy with.

“However, we started to play the game from the back by building up play and the goal we scored was a good team goal, a lovely ball from Steven Anderson picking out Michael O’Halloran. However, we should’ve won by more.”

Neil McCann