The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Saints skipper still convinced header at Dens should have stood
Skipper left to rue ‘massive decision’ to chalk off goal for push in first defeat of league season at Dens Park
Steven Anderson wrote his name into St Johnstone history by timing a back post leap to perfection and setting the Perth club on their way to their Scottish Cup final triumph.
And the Saints skipper believes there wasn’t much difference between that famous goal and the disallowed header at Dens Park on Saturday.
Anderson will never be persuaded that he fouled Darren O’Dea.
“I’m not the biggest so I need to get up early,” he said.
“I’ve not used my hands to push him down.
“My first reaction was that it was harsh and I’ve not changed my mind after watching it on the TV.
“It didn’t cross my mind that it would be chalked off.
“The ref said I was pushing him but my arms have got to go somewhere.
“I didn’t push him or pull him down. I was just up really early. He was trying to get up but I’d got a run on him. He didn’t shout for a foul.
“My cup final goal was similar – a ball hung up at the back post and getting up early.
“I don’t get many so I was a bit gutted. With them going up the pitch and getting a penalty, it just made it worse. “It was a massive decision.
“We didn’t play well but we were in the ascendancy at the time.
“I don’t know what it is about Dens just now but we just can’t seem to get a result there. It’s only one ground, though, and it will turn for us.”
Now that one unbeaten run has ended for Saints, they will be looking to start another by defeating Hamilton Accies on Saturday.
“It’s very unusual for us to be in this position at this stage of the season,” said Anderson. “I’m used to slow starts.
“I wouldn’t say it’s been an unbelievable start – it’s been a decent one. We need to keep kicking on.
“We feel as if that’s three points that have slipped away on Saturday.
“We’re at home on Saturday but Hamilton have done well.
“They’re a hard team to play against – maybe a bit like ourselves. They’re stuffy but they can play a bit as well. “We need to be at it.
“We should be looking to win our home games, no matter who the opposition is.”
Alan Mannus had a rare mistake which led to Dundee’s opening goal but nobody in the Saints’ dressing room was pinning the blame for defeat on the Northern Ireland international.
“Al has kept us in so many games,” said Anderson.
“It was one mistake that cost us a goal. I can’t remember how many I’ve made.
“When goalies make them it’s usually a goal.
“There’s certainly nobody blaming him for our defeat. We didn’t play well enough.
“Al and Zander (Clark) have to be two of the best keepers in the league and we’re lucky to have them.”
“My first reaction was that it was harsh and I’ve not changed my mind after watching it on the TV. STEVEN ANDERSON