Saints architects of own downfall Basic errors gift Livingston comfortable win in Perth
Christmas remains a couple of months away but St Johnstone were getting into the festive spirit particularly early on Saturday.
Perth defenders gift-wrapped Livingston with two of the cheapest goals - the opener was not much better - you are likely to see this season on an afternoon that will quickly want to be forgotten about.
Saints’ success through the years has been built on solid foundations, defensive stability and constantly being able to steer clear of any major mishaps.
Visiting teams have always found McDiarmid Park a difficult venue to put in a performance and pick up points. Livingston could not believe their luck.
Yes, there was a changed look to the rearguard with Jamie McCart, Efe Ambrose and Shaun Rooney the central three. The latter limped off in the first half and was replaced by Lars Dendoncker.
But Perth boss Callum Davidson was not able to make a case for the defence when giving his immediate analysis of this disappointing 3-0 defeat on home soil.
“It wasn’t the afternoon I wanted,” he said. “It wasn’t the first three minutes I wanted.
“They were everything you would ask them not to do. We pride ourselves on defending but when you go 1-0 down you’re
Scottish Premiership
Cammy MacPherson’s floated deep delivery was perfectly weighted for Liam Craig who, suddenly, was completely unmarked.
The experienced midfielder was honoured with a framed shirt before kick- off having recently broken the club’s all-time appearance record and would, as ever, be determined to add another goal to his tally.
But after taking a quick touch his dipping volley bounced off the top of the crossbar.
Saints were dealt a blow not long after when Rooney hit the turf and hobbled off injured. He was replaced by Dendoncker, who is on loan from Brighton and showed against Dundee that he is more than capable of playing at this level.
He could only watch as Clark’s 29th minute pass struck team- mate Jamie McCart’s heel and bounced beautifully into the path of striker Bruce Anderson.
Thank you very much he said before sweeping low into the bottom corner firsttime. It was a very bizarre and frustrating way to concede.
The home support was puzzled with what they were watching but there would be another moment of madness in the second half. It could actually have been worse earlier had Dendoncker not produced a brilliant covering tackle to block Anderson’s goal-bound strike.
But on 66 minutes sloppy Saints were the architects of their own downfall once again. This one was just as bad, if not worse, than the second with a complete lack of communication resulting in Ambrose and Michael O’Halloran chasing down the same ball inside their own box.
There seemed an inevitability that they would collide into each other - and that they did. Both slumped to the turf holding their heads, Anderson picked up the pieces and rolled across the box for Pittman to nudge over the line.
As Livingston celebrated, the Perth pair required treatment and O’Halloran was subsequently replaced by James Brown. Nothing seemed to be coming off for Saints and there was not even a consolation with Chri s Kane lat e r d e n i e d by a terrific, acrobatic Stryjek save.
Davidson added: “We allowed three of the most simple goals Livingston will probably ever score. I don’t mind if you get beaten when someone scores a wonder goal or they dominate.
“Today it was far too easy for them to score. It’s not like us. We have been really good defensively. But a couple of players didn’t perform to the level I would like.”