Back to basics: ‘Head it, kick it, defend crosses’

The words were delivered with no great emphasis and wouldn’t catch the attention of any soundbite seekers or headline writers.

But anybody with so much as a passing interest in, or affection for, St Johnstone will appreciate the weight of a sentence Tommy Wright slipped into his post-match reflections.

“Defenders do what they should do – head it, kick it and defend crosses.”

You could go in different directions analysing this match.

There’s Wright’s tactics to unpick a Hearts side transitioning from one style of football to another (it would no doubt have been called a masterclass had it been the other way around).

Callum Hendry’s continued excellence in the role of impact sub.

Murray Davidson’s ability to walk that yellow card tightrope perfectly again in a contest that demanded his tenacity and tackling skills in midfield.

The under-the-radar re-emergence of Jason Holt as chief controlling influence on this Saints side.

All were significant factors in a victory as crucial and perfectly timed as it was merited.

But after seeing the Perth men be sunk time and time again by basic rearguard deficiencies, the fact that at last the defence looks like one worthy of the St Johnstone name outweighs the rest.

Liam Gordon has hardly put a foot wrong since coming back into the team and, of equal importance, has made Jason Kerr look like the player of last season. You can also give Gordon a share of the praise when assessing the marked improvement in Anthony Ralston. Also, Zander Clark now doesn’t have to fret about being exposed by missed headers.

And finally, if one player has summed up the improvement after the Motherwell debacle it is Callum Booth.

Signed as back-up cover for Scott Tanser, he has made himself indispensable in the last two matches (a brilliant clearance from a dangerous in-swinging free-kick was the standout defensive moment of the game). Surely a new contract will be put under his nose before the week is out. “Head it, kick it and defend crosses.” Wright has been telling us.