Parish happy to step into Zander’s boots
A confident goalkeeping display at Easter Road Star men
HIBERNIAN ........................ 0 ST JOHNSTONE ................. 1 Matthew Gallagher
Elliott Parish smiled in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s win at Hibs:“Tough act to follow, wasn’t it?”
The week prior his teammate Zander Clark had produced one of the finest goalkeeping displays in years.
Countless stops, a last minute headed assist in extratime and two penalty saves to knock Rangers out of the Scottish Cup at the quarterfinal stage. It was footballing drama at its finest.
A toe injury ruled Clark out from performing more heroics on Saturday and Parish was only alerted the night before that he would be lining-up at Easter Road. But he did himself proud.
While not quite able to get an assist to his name, he did make a crucial stop to deny Martin Boyle and his handling of high balls into the box was immaculate all afternoon.
“Zander was a bit sore on
Hibs:
Friday night and on Saturday morning,” Parish said.
“It was a late shout but that’s never a problem. I’m pleased to have a game. After his heroics last Sunday - try to follow that!
“I was fortunate to have a game against Clyde a couple weeks ago to get the rust off. It’s difficult sometimes when you haven’t played for so long. But it’s part of the job. I know what to expect when coming in and it was no problem.”
It was Glenn Middleton who netted the decisive 22nd minute goal to clinch an important three points for a much-changed Saints side.
The 21-year-old took advantage of a woeful pass across his own box from Hibs defender Ryan Porteous to tuck beyond Ofir Marciano. Thank you very much, Middleton would be thinking.
With Livingston losing against Aberdeen, Callum Davidson’s phenomenal season in the hotseat stepped up another notch. The pride of
Perth are up to fifth spot.
Success this term has unquestionably been aided by defensive resoluteness and only 13 goals have been conceded in the club’s last 20 matches. Centre-halves Jason Kerr, Liam Gordon and Jamie McCart all performed admirably again.
“I don’t want to big them up too much,” Parish laughed. “They are absolutely flying. Playing behind that is an absolute pleasure.
“How they are not getting talked about more is beyond me. I don’t see many better than those three and age is on their side.
“I’m a bit old-fashioned at times, especially at the end trying to see it out. But Jamie McCart was wanting it to his feet. He was happy to have it. They have a lot in their armoury, the three of them.
“Hopefully they stay for a couple of more seasons.”
Parish may indeed take his spot on the bench for this weekend’s Scottish Cup semifinal against St Mirren if Clark is passed fit to return. Whatever happens, Parish will be ready to play or support.
“You look at Zander’s heroics last Sunday, the club needs him back,” Parish said. “But I’ll be ready and fired up if needed.
“We are very fortunate to have Paul Mathers the goalkeeping coach. He is fantastic and we’re always ready. That’s not just myself, the other boys as well.
“What is special about it is that everyone wants the best for each other, even though there is only one shirt.
“Zander couldn’t be happier with my clean sheet and it was the same for me the other night at Ibrox.”
Skipper Jason Kerr breezed through the 90 minutes. Dominant in the air and looked to burst forward.
Liam Gordon was vocal from first minute to last and helped organise Saints’ impressive backline.