O’Halloran enjoys perfect return to Saints with winner

MICHAEL O’Halloran came off the bench to score a wonderful winning goal for St Johnstone – the first time he has found the net since April of last year.

The striker – signed on loan from Rangers last week – enjoyed the perfect return to Saints after his £450,000 transfer to Gers didn’t work out under Mark Warburton and then Pedro Caixinha.

As the game entered its dying stages, he collected a pass from Brian Easton 25 yards out on the left before using his blistering pace to dribble away from four Kilmarnock players, across the 18-yard box and into the penalty area.

He then created a nice angle to rifle a powerful last-minute shot past Jamie MacDonald.

However, while the goal was excellent, at least one home player should have halted him.

O’Halloran said: “The last game I started was back in January, so it was good to score the winner.

“My confidence has always been fine, it was just a lack of games – that’s why I came back here.

“The gaffer knows how to get the best out of me and he trusts me, so I hope that goal repays him a little.”

Boss Tommy Wright said: “Michael was a player that, if truth be told, we never wanted to leave. Today, we couldn’t have written the script better for him.

“He produced a bit of magic for his winning goal.

“We gave him a big cuddle when he walked back through the front door and everything was fine after that.”

The deadlock was broken after 10 minutes. David Wotherspoon took possession 25 yards out and drove into the box, taking on Kirk Broadfoot. He jinked inside and released a powerful shot past MacDonald.

Wright’s men were inches away from doubling their advantage