Wright gets result from his nagging at McCann
ST JOHNSTONE manager Tommy Wright hailed the potential of Ali McCann after the homegrown youngster struck a crucial first goal for the club to lift them seven points clear of bottom spot in the Premiership.
McCann’s conversion of a cross from substitute Callum Hendry in the 80th minute was the only shot on target in a drab scrap between the sides who started the day occupying the two places immediately above Hearts.
The artistic merits of the match mattered little to Saints in the end, however, as they continued a recent form upturn by claiming a second away win of 2019 to leapfrog St Mirren and go ninth.
Wright admitted he had been nagging McCann to add a goal threat in his breakthrough season and was delighted to see the 20-year-old midfielder respond at such a vital moment.
‘Ali has grown and grown,’ said Wright. ‘He has a lot of good qualities. One of the things we want him to improve on is with the ball in the final third and getting goals. That’s him started. Hopefully, there is more to come.
‘He has proved this year what a good young player he is. He is someone who should have a big future ahead of him.
‘This was a massive game for both teams and we have had a couple of them recently.
‘It looked like a 0-0 and there wasn’t a lot in the game but I did say when I named the team that the ones on the bench would have a big part to play and Callum made a difference when he came on.
‘It was the one bit of magic in a pretty quiet game.’
Saints were bottom before winning at Tynecastle earlier this month but have not conceded in their last four games, picking up eight points in the process.
‘We’ve had a bit of disaster in terms of the start of the campaign, but we seem to be turning it around with clean sheets,’ said Wright. ‘At home, we’ll be looking to take the game to Ross County on Sunday.
‘It’s a massive opportunity to move up a place and get to 22 points. Six weeks ago, nobody would probably have given us any chance of doing that.’
Hamilton counterpart Brian Rice was sickened by the outcome after his side enjoyed plentiful possession without creating clear chances.
‘I didn’t see that coming,’ lamented Rice. ‘We played well in the first half but without an end product and I think we have had our pockets picked. St Johnstone have been doing that for years and fair play to them.
‘I don’t think anyone could question that we were the better team. That’s not up for debate. But we’ll dust ourselves down and go again. We have a big derby game at Motherwell on Sunday and we’ll be ready for that.’
Accies’ Mickel Miller was by far the most creative outlet during an opening period in which neither goalkeeper was tested.
A cross-shot thumped across the face of goal from the angle of the area eluded George Oakley as the striker threw up his arms in frustration at the far post.
Then Miller combined with David Moyo, making just his second Premiership start, to get the ball right in front Oakley around 15 yards out. Yet the ex-Inverness man could only tug his drive wide of Zander Clark’s right-hand post.
Visiting boss Wright looked increasingly agitated at his team’s failings. Michael O’Halloran often seemed to bear the brunt of his ire as the winger frequently ran up blind alleys.
Improvement after the break seemed inevitable. But it took a long time to come.
Saints had briefly posed danger when May swiped one wide. When he was replaced by Hendry after 74 minutes, the substitute was quick to appeal for handball when his shot was blocked by Sam Stubbs. Referee Gavin Duncan was unmoved.
A stalemate looked likely but then came a breakthrough that was a result of the Perth outfit’s most cohesive attack.
McCann drove forward, knocking the ball wide right to Hendry before being in the perfect place to meet the well-delivered return. He slid the ball past Luke Southwood before embarking on a joyous celebration.
Hamilton desperately sought a leveller but, as had been the story of the afternoon, their effort was not accompanied by incision as Wright’s men held firm.
HAMILTON (4-1-2-1-2): Southwood 6; McGowan 5, Stubbs 6, Easton 6, McMann 6; Gogic 6; Collar 5 (Hunt 79), Martin 6; Miller 7; Moyo 5 (Davies 66), Oakley 5 (Alston 75). Subs not used: Fon Williams, Cunningham, Winter, Hamilton. Booked: Easton. ST JOHNSTONE (4-4-2): Clark 6; Ralston 6, Gordon 6, Kerr 6, Booth 6; O’Halloran 5 (Wright 67), Davidson 6, McCann 6, Wotherspoon 6; May 6 (Hendry 74), Kane 5 (Tanser 85).
Subs not used: Parish, Duffy, Holt, Kennedy. Booked: Davidson, Hendry. Man of the match: Mickel Miller. Referee: Gavin Duncan. Attendance: 1,536.