Saints are back in Europe after tight win over Thistle
SAINTS clinched their European place after this victory to delight boss Tommy Wright but Jags manager Alan Archibald was far from happy and branded his team’s performance as “awful”.
The Perth men could have won by a more comfortable margin but they had to settle for a single- goal victory thanks to Danny Swanson’s first-half penalty.
The home team took the lead in the 33rd minute when referee Stephen Finnie pointed to the penalty spot after Danny Devine tripped Swanson inside the box.
Swanson dusted himself down and placed the kick beyond the reach of Tomas Cerny.
For the rest of the game, Wright’s men created several good chances but they found Cerny in superb form.
The Jags No. 1 proved to be a thorn in their side when he denied them through stunning stops in the second half to deny Liam Craig, Tam Scobbie and Swanson.
Wright said: “I’m so proud of the players. It’s yet another tremendous achievement.
“After we won the Scottish Cup three years ago, you wonder how to can top that but we just keep going and defy the odds every year.
“The players should be immensely proud.”
Archibald said: “It’s hard to come back against St Johnstone because we know how hard they are to break
down when they go a goal ahead.
“But, overall, we weren’t on it today, we were miles away in terms of our passing.
“Our performance levels today were awful. We dropped to a level I haven’t seen from us in a wee while.
” The positive was that Tomas Cerny was outstanding – and has been all season.”
To be fair to Partick, this game wasn’t one-way traffic.
They played some lovely football, their slick passing and movement was pleasing on the eye. They pierced the Saints defence a few times but their efforts in the final third weren’t clinical enough.
Alan Mannus also pulled off saves to keep out Ryan Edwards and Kris Doolan.
But the McDiarmid outfit got the goal that mattered and Swanson received a standing ovation when he was substituted late on.
There is no doubt he will be a loss to Wright and the team when he leaves to join Hibernian on a free transfer in the summer.
Wright will hope to strengthen his squad in the next few weeks in time for pre- season training next month and for their first Europa League qualifier at the end of June.
He has the core of a good team and they will enjoy the experience.