Kilmarnock 0-1 St Johnstone: Three things we learned
St Johnstone confirmed their Premiership status for next season with a 1-0 win away to 10-man Kilmarnock. Let’s look at the main talking points:
The Saints are safe for another year
Going into this match, St Johnstone knew that a win would guarantee top-flight football for the 15th consecutive season. They did just that thanks to an 11th minute header from captain, Liam Gordon. The centre-back lost his marker at a corner and rose above everyone to score what proved to be the decisive goal.
Saints’ interim manager Steven McLean has done what he set out to do, keep St Johnstone in the Premiership. So, it would be unfair of the Perth team’s hierarchy not to consider him for the full-time post having steadied the ship over the last four matches.
A game of ‘What if’ for Killie
The hosts will look back on this match with a feeling of regret. Killie passed up numerous opportunities with David Watson, Luke Chambers and Liam Donnelly all missing chances in the first half alone. After 44 minutes, the home side were reduced to 10 men after Watson lunged in on Cameron Ballantyne. VAR oversaw the challenge, but they were satisfied with on-field referee John Beaton’s decision, much to the frustration of the expectant home crowd. Since his breakthrough in March, Watson has been key to this Killie team, so just how will they cope in their final two matches without their Young Player of the Year?
In the second period, Derek McInnes’ side certainly could not be faulted for their effort, but St Johnstone remained resolute. However , they did try and run down the clock on a few occasions. Overall , the game was a scrappy affair as you would expect with both teams battling to avoid the drop.
The battle at the bottom is reaching its climax
With just two Premiership fixtures remaining , there are still three teams who could be playing in the Championship next season, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Dundee United . The team who finishes 11thwill face the winners of the playoff semi-final between Partick Thistle and Ayr United (Partick Thistle are 3-0 going into the second leg). Despite losing, Kilmarnock remain in 10th place, thanks to Ross County and Dundee United both losing to Motherwell and Livingston respectively.
On Wednesday (May 24), Killie travel to Tannadice to face the league’s bottom side, Dundee United, while Ross County welcome the Perth Saints to Dingwall. Killie, County and United can ill afford to lose their midweek games as they head into next weekend’s climax.