SAINTS ARE SOARING
Davidson’s dominant side dismantle Hibs and stand on the verge of cup glory
THOSE St Johnstone fans who worried that the loss of a history-making manager would imperil their club are just one step away from a glorious surprise.
Callum Davidson had big boots to fill when he accepted the challenge of succeeding Tommy Wright but this was a performance to make his predecessor jealous.
Saints started as underdogs and withstood a minor barrage before stepping up and ruthlessly placing a chokehold on this game.
Having toiled for the first half hour, they had the contest sewn up after barely an hour as Craig Conway added a close-range finish to headers from Jason Kerr and Shaun Rooney.
Memories of the 2014 Scottish Cup final win under Wright remain fresh in the mind around Perth — not least for Davidson, who served as assistant manager on that glorious day out at Celtic Park.
Not only were Saints attempting to reach only their third League Cup final but they were also striving to win the competition outright for the first time.
For Hibs, victors in the 2007 edition of the tournament courtesy of a thumping win over Kilmarnock, there had of course been a little more pressure. Bestowed the mantle of favourites by sponsors Betfred, Jack Ross’s side were visiting an empty Hampden for the second time this season and hoping for a better outcome.
Just as in that physically and mentally draining Scottish Cup clash with Hearts, they would leave harbouring regret.
Since then Ross has bolstered his squad with the additions of Chris Cadden and Jackson Irvine, both of whom started here.
Hibs went with a front three of Kevin Nisbet, Martin Boyle and Jamie Murphy — and that intent manifested itself in all the early running.
They nearly cut through from a set-piece when Boyle’s corner deflected off a Saints shoulder and into the orbit of Paul Hanlon. The big defender showed uncommon poise to hook a volley towards the top corner but a lack of power allowed Zander Clark to paw clear.
Poor purchase was only one issue with the glaring chance missed by Murphy a few moments later. The Rangers loanee had plenty of time to size up Alex Gogic’s cutback as it travelled across goal and he had a big target to hit from 14 yards. His sidefoot shot allowed Clark to stick a boot out and block and from the follow-up his Panenka-style dink clipped the bar, dropping back into play before being cleared.
Irvine has been filling in for Joe Newell in the middle of the pitch and, although Hibs miss the Englishman’s range of passing, Irvine offers a different dynamic and one that was troubling Saints.
Twice the Australian broke into the box to meet crosses from the left. The first header, from a Boyle delivery, snuck wide and the second from a first-time Hanlon pitch clipped the post on the way past. And then came the sucker-punch. Other than a gentle, looping header from Chris Kane, Ofir Marciano had been largely redundant until former Hibee David Wotherspoon stepped up to take a corner.
Wotherspoon, who has been enjoying an excellent season, found the kind of swinging delivery that is a defender’s nightmare, one which enveloped Ryan Porteous as he attempted to adjust his footing to move back towards goal.
The flight allowed Kerr the run on his opponent and up he climbed to power home a firm and emphatic finish.
The second goal, four minutes after the break, was of a similar ilk. Conway’s free-kick followed a deeper trajectory but again forced Hibs’ centre-backs onto their heels. Rooney climbed highest and did the rest.
Ross moved immediately to throw on an extra striker in Christian Doidge, with the quiet Cadden the man to give way.
It did no good. Saints carved out a third in open play with Rooney burrowing to the goal-line and delivering a cross that traversed the six-yard box. Paul McGinn might have been more alert to the danger as Conway stole in and nudged a finish in off the bar at the back post.
Ross was scathing of his players’ mentality in that second half but for those of a green persuasion the sole positive was the sight of Scott Allan climbing off the bench in a vain attempt to turn the tide.
The midfield creator has been absent for much of the season with an unspecified health issue but is a welcome addition to Ross’s options as he now focuses on the task of securing European football.
As good as it was to see the playmaker back on the field for the first time since August, the substitution
was forged in desperation. He laboured and was ultimately booked for a rash tackle on Scott Tanser.
As they look ahead with anticipation to next month’s final, Saints’ only worry is that they are now favourites for a competition which, in turn, has already dispensed with Celtic, Rangers and now Hibs in the knockout rounds.