The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Saints made to pay for slow start
Defender confident side can kick on after defeat
Tam Scobbie has thrown down the gauntlet to Perth players eyeing-up fourth and another European campaign.
The experienced defender has savoured a series of memorable Europa League clashes with the Perth club in recent seasons.
And despite going down to an Aberdeen side now rated odds-on favourites to secure second place behind champions Celtic in the five games remaining after the split, Scobbie believes Tommy Wright’s men are well placed to achieve their own target.
The centre-back owned up to an individual error which saw him turn a wicked Jonny Hayes cross into his own net in the 32nd minute, with the Dons well on top after Ryan Christie’s impressive 19th-minute opener.
First-half substitute Danny Swanson converted a penalty three minutes after the break to turn the tide in the direction of a Perth side which only stirred into life half an hour into the contest.
But they were unable to examine the credentials of Dons keeper Joe Lewis, who was protected by a well-marshalled rearguard.
Scobbie admitted Saints paid the price for a sluggish opening but, given Hearts could only draw with Kilmarnock on Friday, they still enjoy an advantage going into the post-split fixtures.
He said: “There’s a big incentive for the club to finish fourth. We know it will be difficult. Hearts have a fantastic squad.
“But hopefully we can take care of business at our end.
“If you had said we would have a four-
point advantage going into the split we would have taken that before a ball was kicked.
“For us to make top six in such a strong league has been another great achievement for this club. We are very positive we can kick on.
“Last year we had an exceptional run of games after the split. Hopefully we can do that again and we will be comfortable.”
Scobbie revealed manager Tommy Wright laid into his team at the interval and his words brought a reaction.
The introduction of Swanson at the expense of Blair Alston, in the 37th minute, also had an effect.
The defender said: “It was a disappointing first half. Aberdeen started strongly and we never really got to grips with them. We were a step behind and we didn’t have our usual energy.
“The manager had a go at us at half time and shook us up and we were much improved after the break.
“We gave it a go and we pushed them to the very end. But if you play like that in the first half in the Premiership you’re not going to win games. Our first-half performance was not acceptable.
“We will have a break now and look to win our next game in Aberdeen.”
Reflecting on his own goal, Scobbie said: “It’s one of the areas you talk about – the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ between the defence and the goalkeeper.
“It was a great ball in from Jonny Hayes and I’ve had to try to get something on it because I know Adam Rooney is waiting behind me and Brian Easton with a tap-in.
“Unfortunately it came off my foot and it’s gone in the net. On another day maybe it goes by the post or you clear it.
“We put them under pressure but they are not where they are in the league for nothing.
“We had a right go, got the penalty and we had a couple of half chances we could have done better with. I’m sure Aberdeen will be delighted with the win. We are bitterly disappointed.”
Swanson’s early introduction, along with Richard Foster’s return to the starting line-up, signalled that manager Wright had moved on from the incident at Hamilton which cost them hefty club fines and a two-game ban.
The winger showed why Wright remains keen to secure his signature on a new deal to keep him at McDiarmid beyond the summer.
His perfectly struck penalty three minutes after the break was his 13th goal of the season, taking advantage of referee Bobby Madden’s decision to award a spot-kick for Anthony O’Connor’s barge on Steven MacLean.
Dons manager Derek McInnes branded it “really, really soft”.
He was delighted with the performance of a side now looking to a Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs.
Acknowledging the return of Swanson and Foster, Wright said: “I was really pleased with their contribution. Richard has done well and Danny has come on and been a real bright spark for us. He gave us that wee bit extra quality.”
The win – following two goalless draws with Saints this term – secured Europa League football for the Dons, with six more points guaranteeing they will finish behind Celtic despite the recent loss to Rangers.
“To get into Europe again before we go into the split shows you the good work of the players here,” said McInnes.
The one-time Perth boss has tipped his old club to see off Hearts to clinch fourth place.
He said: “These boys always get results. A lot of teams towards the end of a season can put the tools away and be happy with their lot. You could never aim that at St Johnstone. They will go all the way.
“They will feel they can do it and you wouldn’t bet against them.”
The manager had a go at us at half time and shook us up and we were much improved after the break. TAM SCOBBIE