The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gordon tips Saints to win ‘final push’
St Johnstone went from the sublime to the ridiculous in the first leg of their Premiership play-off. But heads have cleared after Inverness Caledonian Thistle made it a straight winner-takes-all contest at McDiarmid Park for the return fixture.
And Liam Gordon is confident that the Perth side can get back to their “brilliant” best, that saw them race into a two-goal lead in the Highlands, and secure their top-flight status.
“I don’t really know how we didn’t win on Friday, to be fair,” said the Saints captain.
“For the first 65 minutes, I thought we were brilliant but then we concede a goal.
“It’s obviously disappointing looking back at it. The boy’s at least three yards offside.
“That’s in the second phase and there was a head knock before.
“It’s disappointing to lose a goal in that fashion and then they score a worldie free-kick.
“Zander’s not had a save to make. He’s just picked the ball out of his net twice.
“But now it’s halfway, 2-2, all to play for in the second leg. We just need to dust ourselves down.
“If we can put in that performance again, and just be more clinical, then we should do well.”
Gordon revealed that the leaders in the away dressing room quickly made sure the late collapse in Inverness was put in context and put to bed.
“There are plenty positives to take,” he said.
“I was saying to the boys not to be too down.
“Obviously it was a sore one.
“We didn’t want a draw after being two goals up but that’s football.
“It was 2-0 going on three or four until they scored. It’s a draw at the end of the day and now it’s all to play for.
“After a few words from the manager, Macca, myself and some of the experienced players we made sure we were remaining positive.
“There is so much to play for, so much at stake.
“Boys can’t have their heads down.
“We need to look at the positives of what we did in the first leg.
“There are plenty of them.
“We just need to do it again on Monday and be more clinical to get a result to keep us in the league. “Plain and simple.” Nobody is better placed to assess the importance of fan power tonight than the man who has made the move from terrace to pitch.
“Our supporters have been brilliant all season for us,” said Gordon, who made a superb near-post interception to prevent an Inverness winner.
“It’s just about that final push now.
“It’s all to play for. “We’ve got Inverness at home to stay in the league.
“We know what it’s going to take and with the fans’ backing and support, hopefully we can get that result.
“Nobody wants relegation on their CV, not just me by being a local lad and being a Saints supporter. It’s the same for everyone in that changing room.
“It’s in our hands now and it will be a case of how much do we want it? We’ll find out on Monday but I’m sure we’ll get the result.”