Old boy can’t stop grinning after winning

The smile, as broad as any in the St Johnstone changing-room at Pittodrie, told of Joe Shaughnessy’s satisfaction at having help inflict defeat on his former club.

But, while the likeable Irishman did not gloat after playing a major role in the filleting of Aberdeen to help extend his team’s undefeated run to eight games, the towering centre-back was right to feel pleased with himself.

Not least because he had been discarded by the Dons and manager Derek McInnes in the summer of 2015 after six years in the north-east where it seemed he was a future fixture for the first team.

Used principally as a right back in the games he played for the Reds, Shaughnessy’s subsequent move to Perth afforded him the opportunity to perform in the centre of the defence, his favourite, and best, position and his second-half header from Ross Callachan’s corner-kick set Tommy Wright’s side on the path to victory.

“It’s feels good,” he said after the 2-0 win, the second goal coming courtesy of Blair Alston’s stunning long-distance strike three minutes after his team-mate’s opener. “I can’t complain.

“The game probably went as we expected. We knew we would have to defend and might not have a lot of the ball, but I think we limited their chances. They didn’t have many clear-cut ones.

“We knew if we kept it close we’d get a chance from a set-piece or something and then Blair scores a brilliant goal. I’m really happy with the day.”