Wright rues Saints’ lack of bravery in possession

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright lamented his side’s lack of courage on the ball after they began their league campaign by losing at Kilmarnock.

Second-half goals by defender Scott Boyd and new signing Mikael Ndjoli, pictured, were enough to give the hosts a 2-0 win in a game they dominated.

“I feel sorry for Tony Watt because he had no service,” Wright said, referring to the striker he signed during the summer. “There was a severe lack of bravery on the ball.

“We played three centrebacks because they do put the ball into the box, particularly on this pitch, and we dealt with that, but we kept giving the ball away whenever we had it.

“There’s a lot of work still to be done, but, most importantly for me, the players need to be braver. It’s no good wanting to be on the ball and pass it around against Montrose and Forfar if you can’t come and do it against the bigger, stronger teams. It’s extremely disappointing.”

Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke praised his side’s attacking prowess after their first openingday win since 2009.

Ndjoli, a 19-year-old loan player from bournemouth, added to the three goals he bagged in the Betfred Cup group stages with a brilliant 25-yard strike into the top corner with five minutes left.

“We are happy to have him because he gives us something a bit different,” said Clark. “Someone asked me about our options for goals and I think we have enough. I couldn’t even get Greg Kiltie on the pitch.”

Clarke is still in the hunt to add players to his squad before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month, with one of those being Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann.