CLARK MAKES A CASE FORTHE DEFENCE Keeper hails fighting spirit of backline
Zander Clark was quick to shower the fighting spirit of his team-mates with praise following a defensive performance for the ages.
The message sent across to the Hibernian frontline was loud and clear on Saturday afternoon: “You shall not pass.” Header after header, tackle after tackle, clearance after clearance. St Johnstone were not going to be defeated. Liam Craig’s tidy first-half finish had given the Perth squad a lead and they held on like their lives depended on it.
Clark, who himself put in a top, assured performance, said: “Mikey O’Halloran coming in at right-wing back was brilliant.
“I don’t think he’s headed a ball as much in his life.
“It was some shift. Anything that came in the box, I made sure to come and deal with it.
“And right at the death it’s an unbelievable block from big Jamie McCart. It’s that will to prevent the ball from going in the net.
“That is magnificent to see for me and I’m sure it is pleasing for the manager too.
“It’s nice to know you’ve got boys in front of you who are willing to do that.
“Since I’ve come to the club it’s been instilled in us that you fight for each other. That was clear to see on Saturday.”
The tireless performance was all the more impressive considering it was a third run-out in the space of six days.
Last Sunday’s cup final win was a physical and emotional drainer before a tough battle away at Hamilton on Wednesday night.
But Saints dug deep against Hibs to keep their chances of a late push into the top six alive.
“The spirit in the team has certainly been high, even more so after the cup on Sunday,” Clark told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“We had to grind out a hardfought win against Hibs to cap off the week. It’s been a tough run but great to get this latest result.
“We knew we had to win to give ourselves any hope of the top six. We’ve done that and now need to look forward to the Ross County game.
“We need to go into that one with the same attitude and desire to win a game of football.”
One man who has certainly shown plenty of desire across the last week - his whole Saints career, in fact - is midfield stalwart Liam Craig. The past week has been productive for him and Clark was thrilled it was rounded off with a winner in Perth.
“I’m absolutely delighted for Liam,” Clark beamed. “It
has been well-documented about all of his semi-final appearances.
“To see him lift the trophy on Sunday was magic. He has been here since I came to the club.
“I was in the same car school pretty much from the day I could drive.
“It was brilliant to see him with the trophy and then to score on Saturday, I’m delighted for him. He’s probably tried a 100,000 of those shots and only a select few have come off.
“It gave us something to hold on to and I thought we did that brilliantly.”
Clark continued:“It’s some going from him to play three games in a week. It epitomises the kind of guy he is.
“He is always one of the fittest in the team and looks after himself well.
“It has been three tough, tough games. I’m sure he’ll enjoy his rest now.”
Saints next take to the field against Ross County at home on March 20.
Manager Callum Davidson will use the break to get Murray Davidson back up to speed after his calf injury.
“We will use the free week to build Murray up and hopefully after that he will be involved,”the Perth boss said.
“If not, there is the international break coming up as well so we’ll have him right for the Scottish Cup and the games after the split.
“Everyone rallied around him before the final when it became clear he wouldn’t make it.”