SCREEN SAVER!
VAR comes to the rescue as Saints ace Clark is able to savour memorable week
IT was a red-letter day for Scottish football but Nicky Clark feared he would be left red-faced after capping a memorable week with a dream goal. The St Johnstone striker marked the birth of baby daughter Georgie last Saturday with a header that sparked a stirring 2-1 comeback victory for the Perth side against Hibernian on Friday night.
After turning away to whoop it up in front of the delirious away support at Easter Road, Clark suddenly realised his celebrations could be cut short by Willie Collum in charge of VAR’s Scottish domestic debut in his Glasgow offices.
Ryan Porteous wanted a foul for a push in his back as Clark rose to meet Melker Hallberg’s corner. But Collum saw no reason to ask referee Kevin Clancy to review his original decision to award the goal, and Clark had his memorable moment.
The former Rangers and Dundee United striker said: ‘It was kind of perfect. It’s obviously been an exciting week for me and the family with the birth of wee Georgie last
Saturday. To top it off with a goal was amazing.
‘When I scored, I ran away and celebrated and then thought: “Oh no, it might not be a goal”. So, there’s mixed emotions — but then just a bit of relief when they say it’s a goal.
‘When you score you’re buzzing and delighted, and then I thought: “Did I take it a bit too far? Is it going to be disallowed and I’m going to be embarrassed?”. But it was just a great feeling when it was confirmed as a goal.
‘I think it’s a good thing for it (VAR) to come in. For the big decisions we will now know we’ll get them correct. I think it will definitely be a good thing.’ The victory arrested a three-game losing streak for Saints and the manner of it can only be a good thing for the Perth men.
Boss Callum Davidson said afterwards he had been the angriest of his spell in charge at half-time after Hibs threatened to blow their visitors away at a packed Easter Road. But, with Hibs midfielder Kyle Magennis being red-carded with 20 minutes left for two bookings, Clark kicked off a dramatic late revival that was topped off by Stevie May’s winner eight minutes from time.
The 31-year-old added: ‘The win can be massive. The confidence was still high, even with the couple of bad results we had.
‘I thought we were a wee bit unfortunate not to get something from the Celtic game but then Kilmarnock away and Livingston away were two bad results for us.
‘We have to pick up points at these places if we are to get to where we think we should be.
‘So, Friday night was massive, to go to Easter Road and get the three points against Hibs.
‘Hopefully that can kick us on to next week and we can get another three points and really push on.’
Hibs midfielder Joe Newell insisted no one in the home dressing room laid any blame at Magennis’ door for the late collapse.
Magennis made his first start in 13 months after a nightmare spell with injury as a groin problem and then knee surgery kept him sidelined and frustrated.
His desire to make an impression spilled over when he was booked twice in the space of just 17 second-half minutes, but Newell felt sympathy for his team-mate.
‘He’s been out for a year and was playing unbelievably well,’ said Newell. ‘There won’t be one person in the dressing room that will have a gripe against Kyle.
‘He’s going to look back and be annoyed. Things happen and we should have ground it out for him, but we never. He said sorry but there’s not one person who would blame him for that.
‘After the year he’s had it’s completely understandable for him to be that enthusiastic. That’s part of his game, he’s aggressive, he likes tackling and it was just one of those things.
‘After being out for a year, I would have been sent off in the first 10 minutes, probably!’