Saintees keeping in touch with the top four
Dons next up after Caley victory
St Johnstone ................. 3 Inverness CT ................. 0
Perth defender Joe Shaughnessy put in a composed performance to prevent Inverness from finding the back of the net There was concern for St Johnstone’s home form after a number of disappointing results this season.
But a composed display on Saturday afternoon proved there is no reason to worry as Perth players knocked three past Inverness, while keeping their first clean sheet since the beginning of October.
Prior to kick-off McDiarmid Park fell silent in remembrance as players and fans of both sides offered a fitting tribute to the 71 victims who lost their lives during the Chapecoense plane crash.
Saints were without a win in their last four games but there was no lack of confidence in the early stages, with surges forward into opposing territory a constant sight.
Danny Swanson is a player that manager Tommy Wright wants to tie down on a longer contract and the midfielder showed his class and ability to carve out an opening by finding Liam Craig in the final third.
It allowed Craig to cut back for Michael Coulson, making just his second start in the league, but the Englishman could not get the decisive strike away. The home side did not have to wait long to find the net, though.
Neat interplay between striker Steven MacLean and Craig allowed the latter to poke the ball home from inside of the box. It was his 50th goal for the club – but he wanted more.
Shortly after the 29-year-old looked for a second when he unleashed a powerful strike from 25 yards. Caley keeper Fon-Williams managed to save at the second time of asking.