Awful display wrecks Saints’ anniversary party
ANGRY St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright reckoned his side’s “brutal” and “comical” first-half performance was the worst he’d ever seen.
This was not how it was supposed to be on Saints’ 132nd anniversary.
Rory McKenzie’s stunning 40-yard lob summed up the match for both sides.
It was a disaster for Saints and a moment of inspiration for the visitors.
The boos rang round McDiarmid Park at fulltime on a day that was meant to be about celebrating the club’s enduring appeal.
“I said to the players it was probably the worst 45 minutes I’ve seen, and I’ve been here for six years,” said Wright. “It was brutal. I can’t believe the first half. The number of mistakes, non-tackles, not winning second balls, misplaced passes, players caught in possession.
“You have to give Killie credit but I’m looking to my team and we didn’t do the basics well.
“The first goal is a comedy of errors. Take nothing away from the finish, but it summed up our first half.
“It was comical, brutal, and I’m sure it left a lot of fans numb, because it certainly did myself and [assistant) Callum Davidson.
“Someone said you know after a minute how your team will play, but we knew after about 15 seconds.”
The opener came in the 11th minute.
Zander Clark sclaffed a clearance after a poor Steven Anderson passback to gift McKenzie possession and the midfielder showed tremendous poise, composure and awareness to lift his shot over the keeper and into the unguarded net.
Against Aberdeen last weekend, Killie conceded two goals in the final seven minutes –but a late collapse was never on the cards in Perth.
Instead, Conor Sammon’s 71st- minute
header, which squirmed through the grasp of Clark at his near post, ensured a comfortable finish for the Ayrshire outfit.
It was also a good way for interim boss Lee McCulloch to underline his credentials as a longterm successor to Lee Clark as he awaits a decision from the Rugby Park outfit.
“I don’t know what will happen, I was just thinking about today,” said McCulloch when asked about his caretaker role.
“I don’t know if it’s getting the management bug but I have loved it.
“It’s an honest group of players and I’ve enjoyed working with them.
“There have been long days but I’m really enjoying it.
“It doesn’t harm the chances when the boys play like that, but I don’t really see it as having chances, I just want to see the boys playing well.”
McCulloch reser ved special praise for his two goal-scorers, McKenzie in particular.
“It was great technique,” added McCulloch. “It was brilliant.
“I wasn’t going to get animated until I saw that net rippling, but it was a great feeling.”