A frustrating evening for Saints saw the club share the spoils with bottom-of-the-table Livingston in a drab 0-0 draw at the Tony Macaroni Arena on Wednesday. Here are three things I picked up from the Scottish Premiership clash…
Double injury blow?
Max Kucheriavyi and Tony Gallacher were both forced off against Livingston in a double blow for manager Craig Levein. Kucheriavyi especially has been impressive in recent weeks with an extended run in the team and he has been one of the team’s more creative figures in the final third. Levein is clearly a big fan of the Ukrainian youngster given his history with the midfielder and he certainly has been playing some of his best football at the club under the former Scotland manager. Max was substituted in the 41st minute after receiving treatment and was replaced by Graham Carey. Here’s hoping his knock isn’t too serious and he will be back fighting fit for the Dundee clash in the new year, as we all know he loves a goal against Tony Docherty’s side given his exploits earlier in the season. Gallacher has also enjoyed an extended run in the team in recent times and he has been a solid addition to the defensive line. The former Liverpool man is very much a defensive-first type of player, but he is starting to introduce an attacking side to his game that is a useful asset to the left side. He was taken off at half-time for Andy Considine, so it wasn’t clear if he was injured or not, but fingers crossed if it is an injury it is nothing too serious.
Defensive strength
St Johnstone’s ability to defend in games has clearly improved since Craig Levein’s hiring. The current backline has eliminated the schoolboy blunders that were prevalent in the early part of the season, and we now appear to be a difficult team to beat. Much of the club’s recent success has been predicated on defensive consistency, which hopefully will continue throughout the season. At the Tony Macaroni Arena, Livi posed an aerial threat to the Saints, but the defenders loved the physical challenge. Captain Liam Gordon was outstanding once again, along with Luke Robinson and James Brown, as they dominated Joel Nouble, Bruce Anderson, and others. Robinson should have scored after his spectacular effort was saved ruled out for offside by VAR. Oludare Olufunwa also deserves a mention for his solid display, especially given his lack of game time in recent months
Dan the man
At Livi, Saints’ Dan Phillips was back to his best. The centre midfielder has high expectations, and he will confess that he was off the pace against Kilmarnock on December 23 at Rugby Park. The 22-year-old was hooked against Killie after failing to exert his typical control over proceedings – but Levein stayed with the Trinidad and Tobago internationalist for Livi’s visit. He was definitely enjoying himself in midfield, and his usage of possession was particularly brilliant. Saints are still aiming to sign the former Chelsea and Watford star to a new contract, and fingers crossed they can do so given his quality in the heart of the field. The midfielder will undoubtedly progress bigger and better things at some point, but an extended period in Perth could be a wise option at this stage in his career.
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