Loyal Kano deserved his big moment Striker’s hard work pays off to net at Celtic
Gordon’s dreamday
So often in recent times Chris Kane has been applauded for his selflessness and role as a team player.
Winning free-kicks by putting his body in where it hurts, getting you up the park when under pressure and running tirelessly for the cause.
Again, all of those attributes were on display after coming off the bench to great effect against Celtic in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon.
It was then hard not to smile when the elated 26-year-old wheeled off, arms outstretched, to celebrate his special 79th minute opener.
He was deserving of his moment in the spotlight.
This is a player who has given his best to the Perth club for over 10 years having first joined the academy as a hotly-tipped youngster.
The fact he has represented St Johnstone for such a long period of time tells its own story. He is valued by management.
Kane certainly showed his striker’s instinct at the weekend to slide in at the back post and convert Stevie May’s precise cut-back.
It was his first goal against Celtic and you could instantly see what it meant. Within seconds he was mobbed by jubilant team-mates.
One of those right in
amongst the celebrations was young substitute Alex Ferguson who, at the time, was warming-up in close vicinity. It was nice to see his passion too.
The only disappointment for Kane and Saints was that the hosts managed to find a leveller almost immediately when Mohamed Elyounoussi’s looping header - it appeared to be a flick-on nestled in the far corner of the net. But returning from such a venue with a point in the bank can never be scoffed at.
For central defender Jamie McCart, this was another afternoon of great success and he did himself no harm in further endearing himself to the Perth support.
“We were organising ourselves at the back and we turned around to see Scott Tanser slip Stevie May in,” he recalled of Kane’s goal.
“It was a great ball across the face and Chris does what every striker should.
“Normally if you get a point at Celtic you would be absolutely delighted. But taking the 1-0 lead and then limiting them to few chances, it is probably disappointing that we conceded in the end.
“It’s a lot of luck on their part. The boy tries to flick it on and somehow it goes into the top corner.
“Overall it’s a brilliant performance from us. Tactically we set up really well and did our jobs. I think that showed.”
Saints had made three changes from last week’s Betfred Cup win at Motherwell with Danny McNamara, Scott Tanser and Craig Bryson coming in for Callum Booth, Liam Craig and Callum Hendry.
Perhaps the proudest man striding onto the field of play would be Perth’s very own Liam Gordon. He was handed the captaincy for the first time and can reflect on an assured personal performance.
In fact, there was no failure in a blue jersey.
Manager Callum Davidson, not long into the hotseat, has now guided Saints to an unbeaten run which sits at 11 games. It is a club record as a top-flight team.
Breaking records is always welcome but McCart is adamant that the feel-good factor can continue, such has been the level of performances in recent weeks.
“It can go on as long as we keep performing to the levels we are,” he said on Sunday.
“I think it definitely is an exciting time to be a St Johnstone fan. We have a young squad, a young manager and play a nice style of football.
“We play open, expansive, attacking football.”
SPFL Premiership
your arm. It doesn’t make you a better or worse player.
“Afterwards when you get messages from family and friends, you realise the magnitude of it. To lead the boys out at Parkhead was a lovely touch. Being a local lad makes it extra special and getting a positive result made it that bit sweeter.”
Gordon, who is a former Perth High student, added: “Everyone who knows me realises it has not been an easy ride. There have been a lot of times when I’ve had to dig in. There were times when it got hard and you question whether what I was doing was the right thing.
“But it shows that the hard work and determination to get to this spot has paid off. I’ve always been confident in my own ability.
“It shows all the young lads playing at the moment that if you have the right attitude and are willing to put work in, you can go a long way.”
Gordon was actually unlucky not to have been celebrating a winning debut with the armband after Chris Kane had given Saints the lead.
“Kano is a great lad, a great professional and always works hard,” he added.