Snow was falling in Perth on Saturday morning but by Saturday night St Johnstone fans would have been singing in the rain. A game against Kilmarnock that looked as if it would be in doubt as a result of treacherous conditions around the stadium and traffic problems for players on both sides ended up going ahead and producing a result that could turn out to be a key milestone in Saints’ season. Having suffered three Premiership defeats in a row, Simo Valakari’s side needed to stem the bleeding.
Makenzie Kirk’s superb second half header did just that and they moved up a place into ninth in the table. Courier Sport picks out four talking points Before Saturday, St Johnstone had scored penalties, free-kicks, second-ball finishes from corners, an outside the box Graham Carey special, back post and near post side-foot strikes, an own goal and a couple of scruffy goal-line tap-ins. But they hadn’t scored from a header.
A goal is a goal but this one will perhaps have pleased Simo Valakari above the others he has witnessed. He’ll have taken satisfaction from the words of Kilmarnock manager, Derek McInnes, as well. “St Johnstone scored the type of goal we should be scoring and that is so galling.
” That’s twice against Killie, Andre Raymond has set-up a goal with a ball in from the left. This cross will be a strong contender for Saints assist of the season. The pace, dip and accuracy were all on point.
And Kirk’s run to the centre-back’s blind side – which he start.
