TACTICS TOED
Saints threw playbook away to end Livi’s run
Callum Davidson admits St Johnstone threw the tactics book out the window to bring Livingston’s 14- game unbeaten run to a close.
Not since November 21 have the hosts tasted defeat as strikes from Scott Tanser and Shaun Rooney did the damage despite Scott Pittman heading in a late consolation in dress rehearsal for this month’s Betfred Cup Final.
Davidson insists it was all about hard work to claim a win he insists will have no bearing at Hampden on February 28.
He said: “We didn’t really work on tactics, we focused on attitude and commitment because that’s what you need to get a result here.
“I thought it showed and it was the most pleasing thing for me.
“Livingston are 14 games unbeaten, they are a good side and battle for everything. So we knew we had to come here, f ight just as hard as them or even harder. That’s what got us the result.
“This won’ t have any bearing on the cup final, it’s a different day, a different pitch, a bigger pitch.
“There could be different players playing at Hampden, so it won’t have any impact.
“The main thing for us until the final comes around is the league and this got us another three points. We just have to keep picking them up until we’re safe.”
Livi were without striker
Gavin Reil ly, who tested positive for Covid-19, and team-mate Julien Serrano was forced to self-isolate as a close contact.
Saints had to reshuffle too without the injured Murray Davidson. Liam Craig came into midfield.
The visitors should have been ahead in the opening moments. Jason Kerr met David Wotherspoon’s corner at the back post but only managed to steer a shot over.
Scott Robinson then raced through into the Saints box but couldn’t get a finish off at an angle.
There was a booking for
Kerr for bringing down Scott Pittman. That was followed by a caution for Aaron TaylorSincair in first- half injury time for wiping out Chris Kane. Tanser stepped up to curl a 20-yarder over the wall and low past Max Stryjek for the opener.
It was to get worse for Livi after the restart as Craig floated in a free-kick which was glanced into the corner of the net by Rooney.
Saints passed up a chance to add a third from the spot in the 79th minute after Pittman fouled Rooney inside the box and sub Stevie May’s penalty was pushed away superbly by Stryjek.
Livi grabbed a consolation with seven minutes left as Robinson clipped a cross in for Pittman to glance a header home via a post.