Beating by Hoops catalyst for Saints

Showdown talks after humiliation by Celtic the spark for winning streak

Ross Callachan has revealed that St Johnstone’s sensational winning streak was sparked by showdown talks at Celtic Park.

Tommy Wright’s men endured a fivegame winless run earlier this term, culminating in a 6-0 defeat at the home of the champions last month which Callachan candidly describes as “unacceptable” and “embarrassing”.

It was the last straw for a proud group. Frank, lengthy discussions followed among the players and staff in the away dressing room at Parkhead as they sought to arrest the malaise.

The result has been remarkable. Since their forgettable trip to Glasgow’s East End, Saints have registered four successive victories and have not conceded a goal in 366 minutes of Premiership football.

Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Hibernian, sealed courtesy of an 89th-minute Joe Shaughnessy header, was the most impressive of all their recent results.

They utterly outplayed the capital club on their own patch and condemned the Hibees to a first defeat at Easter Road since they lost 2-1 to Rangers on December 13 2017.

Callachan said: “I just think we have come together as a team in recent games. That day against Celtic was embarrassing. Nobody wanted to leave the changing room.

“I think that match gave us a jolt. It had to. We had to bounce back from that because it was unacceptable. We sat as a team and had a really good discussion.

“It was a good, important talk. I like that as a player – when you get things sorted out. Then you can get out and do it on the training pitch and results will follow.

“It’s clearly worked. It put us on this run.”

“Everyone was involved (in the conversation). We sorted everything out and, since then, everyone can see the togetherness on the pitch.

“Our defensive displays have been great and we have been brilliant ever since.”

“Brilliant” is a fair assessment of their showing in Leith, which should have heralded a more handsome scoreline.

Tristan Nydam was the width of the crossbar away from breaking the deadlock during the first period, with the on-loan Ipswich Town midfielder latching on to the ball on the edge of the box and producing a sumptuous curling effort that hit the woodwork.

Tony Watt, without a goal since a 1-0 victory against Dundee on August 25, passed up a golden opportunity to end that drought when he headed a wonderful Drey Wright delivery wide of the post from point-blank range.

Hibs, uncharacteristically passive and impotent in the final third, were restricted to efforts from distance courtesy of Martin Boyle, Emerson Hyndman and Stevie Mallan. Zander Clark did not need to dirty his gloves until deep into the second period.

Danny Swanson, the Hibs fan who returned to McDiarmid Park in the summer following an underwhelming season on the books of his boyhood heroes, climbed from the bench to inspire a final push for the winner.

His direct running and fancy footwork saw the 31-year-old dart into the box, only to be crudely hauled down by Marvin Bartley.

Referee Nick Walsh immediately pointed to the spot. However, it was deja vu all over again for Wright as he watched Adam Bogdan save Swanson’s penalty.

St Johnstone have now missed three spot-kicks in as many games after Liam Craig and Watt also fluffed their lines in the win over St Mirren seven days previously.

Callachan said: “I don’t know if I will step up next. The best players in the world miss penalties. We just need one to go in. And fair play to the goalkeeper, it was a great save.”

St Johnstone, however, would not be denied. As the clock ticked towards injury time, Shaughnessy – a rock at the heart of defence all day, as was centre-back partner Jason Kerr – met a fine David Wotherspoon free-kick to power a header beyond Bogdan.

The Saints have roared up to fifth spot and, having flown under the radar in comparison to the praise heaped on the likes of Hibs, Hearts, Kilmarnock and Livingston, are just one point behind third-placed Rangers.

Callachan added: “To a man, everyone was brilliant and we got what we deserved from the game. It would not have been a bad point if we had drawn but to nick it at the end made it all the sweeter.

“It’s some run we are on and if we can keep that up then who knows what can happen.

“If we keep going the way we are going then why can’t we finish really high up in the league? We have done well the last few seasons so there is no reason why we can’t replicate that.”

“To a man, everyone was brilliant and we got what we deserved from the game. ROSS CALLACHAN