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 – en j oy e d 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 dead lock 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.
Wr ight’s men were inches away from doubling their advantage
when Murray Davidson’s tried to lob MacDonald from more than 40 yards, but his shot came off the crossbar.
The equaliser came in the 59th minute.
Killie won a free- kick almost 30 yards out after Stefan Scougall had fouled Jordan Jones. Mannus lined up his wall, but Kris Boyd’s powerful drive flew through it and into the top right-hand corner.
Boyd then provided sub Lee Erwin with a great chance when he slipped the striker through for a one- on- one but Mannus managed to parry his effort away.
Boyd then rattled the crossbar with a closerange effort, Mann us appearing to get his fingertips to the ball to deflect it on to the woodwork.
In a bid to turn the tide, Wright brought on O’Halloran for Scougall – and he certainly delivered.
But it was cruel on Killie, who didn’t deserve to lose.
Manager Lee McCulloch said: “I was happy with the performance but not with the result.
“We have a young squad and we just need to be a wee bit more street-wise.”