THE CHEERY ON TOP OF THE CAKE
Cal: I love watching team again
Callum Davidson felt his enjoyment return on the touchline while watching St Johnstone sink Hearts.
The Perth gaffer celebrated a priceless victory which lifted his troops two points above Dundee at the foot of the table.
Goals from Ali Carawford and Jamie McCart capped a splendid Saints show as they extended a horror Hearts record of no league wins in a dozen years at McDiarmid Park.
Davidson’s side were full of energy and verve as they collected just a second win in 17 matches to thrill their fans.
The gaffer savoured seeing belief return to his squad and said: “It’s great. It was back to enjoying watching them play again and seeing their desire to go and do things.
“As a defender, I enjoy blocking tackles and crosses. Too easily we’ve let crosses come in and we gave help to the back three and the keeper.
“Ell iott [ Parish] made great saves and got us the points.
Hopefully we get two or three more back for Saturday. It’s probably the first time I’ve had to leave players out.
“The performances have been coming and I’ll be looking to repeat this next Saturday. If we perform like that I’ll be happy.
“They proved they’re a good team. They lost belief in November and December but the new players helped.” Saints were in front inside a minute after a sweeping move which involved Glenn Middleton and Melker Hallberg.
The Swede picked out Crawford and the playmaker’s first-time finish was sublime.
Hearts keeper Ross Stewart, in for a first Premiership game this season to replace Craig Gordon, hadn’t even touched the ball but his team were level almost immediately through Nathaniel Atkinson.
Barrie McKay curled a shot against a post and the Aussie was sharp to the rebound which he slotted beyond Parish.
The action barely relented until the interval. Ellis Simms took advantage of slack defending at a set piece to hit Parish’s other post, whi le Murray Davidson fired wide.
Hearts threatened upon resumption with Simms off target but the tide turned.
Crawford struck over before McCart hit the eventual winner in 55 minutes.
Hallberg swung a free-kick to the far post and the defender escaped offside to meet the delivery with a thumping header back across a static Stewart.
The keeper denied McCart as Saints pushed, yet Hearts could’ve nabbed a point.
Parish tipped John Souttar’s header over from a Stephen Kingsley corner and, after the defender hit the bar with another effort, Parish grabbed Peter Haring’s follow-up.
The Saints keeper’s late save from Simms sealed it for his team and Davidson said: “The first 70 minutes we were really good. The first goal was superb.
“At home we’ve struggled for form but you can see the confidence coming back. It’s a massive three points but it’s only three points, let’s get more.”