‘Divers’ row mars fine win for Saints
TOMMY WRIGHT cranked up the heat on St Johnstone’s clash with Hearts by branding Robbie Neilson’s side “divers”.
But his own team soared highest in Perth as the Jam Tarts bellyflopped to their first defeat in four games.
Graham Cummins snatched the decisive goal, diverting a powerful Liam Craig shot past Hearts keeper Jack Hamilton from close range.
It was a classic Saints smash-and-grab that had the home fans cock-a-hoop.
Yet, after seeing Cummins and Chris Kane booked for simulation, Perth boss Wright was forced to front up – and revealed he will fine both players if he feels their cautions were justified.
“We’ve won the game 1-0 and won the simulation 2-0!” he joked.
“But no, I’m going to look at it. I’ve already seen Graham’s booking and there is contact.
“The referee told me there was contact but that it was for an exaggerated movement.
“Kano’s I’ll look at as well, and if I think the decisions are right, the players will be fined and a line will be drawn under it.
“It’s not something we advocate, it’s not something I advocate.
“I’ll sit down with the players on Monday and they’ll get a fair hearing, but that’s how we’ll deal with it because I don’t want it in the game.”
It was an uncomfortable moment for Wright on a day his side did him proud.
In terms of commitment and character, they were, as ever, imperious.
They were up against it throughout as Hearts spurned chance after chance – yet still they found a way to win.
At the end of a week where club captain Dave Mackay announced his retirement through injury, Saints’ performance was a fitting tribute.
After Cummins’ winner, the celebrating Saints players raised Mackay’s No2 jersey, plucked from its hiding place behind the goals, to the sky.
For Wright, as for Mackay himself, it was a moment to savour.
“I didn’t know it was happening and I’m just pleased they were able to do it,” said the Saints boss.
“It’s great. It’s been a sad week but in amongst that sadness about Dave retiring it’s the right decision for him, personally, and we wish him well.
“All the accolades he’s had this week are deserved because he’s been a great servant.
“He’s been my captain and I’ll miss him on the pitch.”
While Saints were missing their captain yesterday, Hearts were missing chances – and plenty of them.
The Jam Tarts could have gone top of the Premiership with a win, but they could not find a way past inspired Saints keeper Zander Clark, who pushed No 1 Alan Mannus on to the bench for a second consecutive game.
Sam Nicholson, Bjorn Johnsen, Faycal Rherras, Jamie Walker, Callum Paterson and Tony Watt were all denied by the 24-year-old stopper, with the latter four in particular left to wonder how on earth Clark had kept them out.
Given his side’s dominance, Hearts coach Robbie Neilson, who was sent to the stand in the second-half, was in a philosophical mood after the game.
“We should have been up, the performance was really good but sometimes you don’t get what you deserve from a game,” he said.
“We dominated possession, we were the team whop passed the ball and created chances but they get one chance and they put it away. “That’s football.” That’s true enough. But Hearts fans, wondering this morning what might have been, may struggle to take comfort in it.