Saints make their point with penalty
Perth side recover after slow start in Dingwall Danny’s farewell
ROSS COUNTY .................... 1 ST JOHNSTONE .................. 1 Matthew Gallagher St Johnstone’s first-foot into the new year was a weak one.
But a recovery mission in the Highlands ensured that the Perth players returned down the snow-surrounded A9 with a point for their efforts.
The less said about the opening quarter of this game the better.
First-footing often involves arriving armed with a gift to spread cheer and prosperity for what lies ahead.
Saints’ present to Ross County was a slow, sluggish start which allowed the hosts to gain the all-important upper hand. The manner in which the Staggies scored the opener came as no surprise. And that is a worry.
It was not the first, or the second, time this season that leisurely marking inside the box has cost the ultimate price. And it was also familiar to watch the opposition’s chance stem from a throw-in.
See recent games against Dunfermline and St Mirren for the required evidence.
There was slight misfortune that the delivery from the right clipped Shaun Rooney and needed a touch out from goalkeeper Zander Clark.
But there was no excuse for Ross Draper being granted the freedom of Dingwall to pick up the scraps and net with 21 minutes on the clock.
Thankfully, five minutes later, a moment of madness from defender Coll Donaldson grabbed the attention of Craig Conway.
The Perth attacker quickly realised the pass across the box spelled trouble for the hosts and motored to meet the ball.
He edged in front of Keith Watson and was completely wiped out for a penalty. The stonewaller of all stonewallers.
Conway clambered back onto his feet and did the necessary, stroking low into the bottom corner beyond Ross Laidlaw.
From here, Saints were much improved. Yet the theme of not capitalising on periods of pressure was again a problem.
Chris Kane, in particular, missed a glorious chance as the game entered its latter stages while Liam Gordon also went close with a back-post effort.
One player who has performed with a level of consistency when called upon is Rooney. He could not hide his disappointment.
“We had enough chances to win it,” he said. “At the end of the day we need to come up here and get the three points.
“We can’t keep passing up chances to win the game.
“I felt when we went the goal down we started playing a lot better. We started pressing right and got the benefit from that. Everybody wants to go and win. Hopefully over the rest of the season we’ll start finding the net more.”
Saints, who are now nine without a win in the league, actually almost lost this one in the final few minutes.
And if not for heroics from Clark between the posts, that would have been the case.
He pulled off a world-class stop to deny a powerful Watson header from close range and then tipped a Josh Reid stinger over the bar.
Rooney added: “That save from the header, I don’t know how he’s pulled it off.”
The Highland voyage represented full-back Danny McNamara’s last in a Perth jersey. He now returns to parent club Millwall.
That is a blow but Rooney is still setting his sights high this season, despite Saints sitting two points off the bottom.
What does he want from 2021?
“Finish top six,” he said. “That’s where I want to be.” playing and going, we were fine.
“Second half was a lot better the performance was better, we created chances.”
McNamara added: “I’ve loved every minute of it and Saints have helped me out massively.
“All round it’s been a really positive six months. I played a lot of games and feel that I gave my all to the team.
“It’s given me a massive boost, playing games at a high standard. I’m going back with confidence.”
McNamara made 22 Premiership appearances for the club, netting once – the winner against Kilmarnock back in November.
It was his first goal in the professional game.
McNamara was quick to give his thanks to Perth manager Callum Davidson.
“Callum has been absolutely brilliant,” he said. “I’ve loved working under him and he’s got the best out of me.
“I’ve given him everything, he’s given me everything and I can’t thank him enough.
“You never know what is down the line. They say never burn your bridges.
“I’ve loved Scotland, enjoyed staying in Perth and exploring the area. You never know what could happen in the future.”