Callum insists belief of his players was key
Close-range winner against Buddies so sweet for striker
McNamara hails May after his strike which saw off St Mirren
Stevie May is happy to tuck home tap-ins instead of 30yard screamers — as long as he is finding the net.
The St Johnstone stalwart bagged the winner in Saturday’s dominant display against a visiting St Mirren side with no answer.
May, who entered the action in the second half after watching his mates spurn a number of chances, hit the jackpot with 72 minutes on the clock.
His clever run deep into the Buddies’ box was timed perfectly to dispatch an impressive Craig Conway delivery from close range.
“As a striker, that is where you want the ball played in order to give you the chance to get on the end of it,” said May.
“The defender in front of me couldn’t really gamble because he might have put the ball in his own net.
“I threw myself at it and thankfully the ball managed to find the corner. It was well-deserved and a real dominant performance.
“It doesn’t matter at all where I’m scoring from. I’ll take a tap in.
“Hitting the back of the net is the main thing and it’s just sweeter when it’s for a 1-0 win.
“I really just wanted to get back onto the pitch and finish one of the chances.
“In the first half, their goalkeeper made a couple of great saves, especially from Callum Hendry’s one-on-one. I thought that one was in.
“I think we have deserved more goals in the past few games.
“We didn’t get that bit of luck we needed.
“So Saturday’s goal was an important one and it went towards the three points which made it even better.”
May had endured a frustrating build-up to competitive football restarting after picking up a couple of niggling injuries.
He continued: “I’m delighted because it has been a bit more stop-start than I would’ve liked this season.
“It wasn’t ideal picking up a knock but that is football and I didn’t want to make it any worse.
“After the length of break that we had, it can be difficult coming back. You have been doing road running but not short-sharp games or striking the ball.
“I did have a couple of wee niggles and it just took me a little longer to get going. But I’m feeling good now and starting to score goals is the main thing for me.”
Perhaps not grabbing the headlines from Saturday’s win was the resoluteness and solid defensive performance which more than merited the clean
Chance after chance after chance.
It would have been quite easy for frustration to creep into St Johnstone’s game on Saturday.
But manager Callum Davidson hailed his players’ belief and desire which, eventually, rewarded them with a deserved three-point haul against St Mirren.
The Perth side were peppering the Buddies’ goal at times and their goalkeeper Jak Alnwick was required to pull off a series of smart stops to keep the score level.
He could not, however, prevent substitute Stevie May from sliding in to tuck home a delightful Craig Conway cross from the left flank.
The 72nd-minute winner came as a relief for boss Davidson, who, it must be said, has Saints playing a neat brand of slick passing football.
“I thought we moved the ball really well,” beamed Davidson. “We created opportunities, got into good areas and the movement down the sides was excellent.
“Sometimes you think ‘is it going to be one of those days again’ when you create chances and don’t score. So I was delighted when we got it.
“I’ve got to give credit to the players. After the last two games, the heads could quite easily have gone down.
“But they kept going, kept believing. That, for me, was brilliant and it bodes well for the rest of the season.
“If they carry on playing like that the chances will continue to come. I’m delighted for the players more than anything else.”
Davidson had put Stevie May on the field of play five minutes before his tidy finish.
And he hopes it can be the catalyst for a hotstreak in front of goal when play resumes after the international break.
He added: “Michael [O’Halloran] played really well and was probably a little frustrated to come off. But I just felt we needed a goal.
“It wasn’t anything to do with Michael’s performance why I changed him, I just felt Stevie might give us something. Fortunately, he did.
“I’m pleased for Stevie. When I was here previously he used to score 30 yarders all the time. It was nice for him to get a tap-in.”
sheet. May said:“We were resolute in defending because we did get asked questions by St Mirren, which you expect. They went long and did ask questions.
“But the boys at the back were solid and that is the foundation that you need. You know when you get a goal, the chances are you’ll pick up three points.
“And there were other positives, like getting Murray Davidson back involved. He brought experience to see the game out well.
“It’s not great having the international break now but there has been a lot of football and we’ve had a bit of a fixture congestion compared to others.
“We had that extra midweek game so the boys have earned their break. We’ll get the chance to recuperate and get the energy back in the legs to go again.
“The St Mirren result is brilliant for everyone and it was important to get a win before the break. It gives us something to be positive about coming back.
“The system we are playing is starting to pay off a lot more now. We are playing nice football and the St Mirren game showed that.
“We would’ve liked a few more goals but to put in a performance like that is a huge positive for us.”