MATCH PREVIEW: HEARTS VERSUS SAINTS
26th July 2016
PHOTO: Come Saturday evening, no one in the history of St. Johnstone FC will have played more games for the club than Steven Anderson (pictured here with Craig Thomson).
Wednesday night's league encounter brought an end to St. Johnstone's three-week spell of consecutive midweek games. You'd be forgiven for temporarily forgetting about the existence of Saturday football! Tomorrow, Saints travel to Edinburgh for a tough away day at Tynecastle (kicking off at the more familiar time of 3pm).
With Tommy Wright suffering from a stomach bug, assistant manager Callum Davidson took the reins on Wednesday night. Following Ross County's historic Scottish League Cup success, St. Johnstone would have been grateful if the Dingwall men had arrived at McDiarmid Park with dreadful hangovers. Sadly, this wasn't the case. Nonetheless, Saints were the more alert and incisive team in the first-half. They took an early lead when David Wotherspoon did well to get on the end of a Joe Shaughnessy assist. Saints could, and perhaps should, have added to their lead. In fact, despite a scrappier second-half, they looked fairly comfortable until Ross County were awarded a controversial penalty. The match finished 1-1, with St. Johnstone ultimately paying the price for a lack of composure in the final third.
As far as Saints and County are concerned, the league table hasn't changed too drastically. They remain locked in 4th and 5th place respectively, equal in 'goal difference', equal in 'goals scored' and equal in 'goals conceded'. In these current circumstances, head-to-head results are the next official means of separation. St. Johnstone have the advantage in this regard, with one win and two draws against Jim McIntyre's team.
Tomorrow afternoon, Robbie Neilson's Hearts will provide a stern test for Saints. Sixteen points above the duo of St. Johnstone and Ross County (and with a game-in-hand), Hearts are very close to securing a top-three finish. It's quite easy to forget that this is their first season back in the top-flight after a remarkable 2014/15 Scottish Championship win. European qualification would be a notable achievement for the Tynecastle side, yet St. Johnstone also remain in contention for Europe. A 4th-place finish, coupled with a Scottish Cup win for Celtic, would ensure a 5th successive European outing for St. Johnstone. As we approach the business end of the season, there's still a lot at stake!
Heart of Midlothian's recent form is impressive. They have lost only one of their last twelve Scottish Premiership matches. In recent head-to-head matches against St. Johnstone, they have won four of the last ten encounters (in all competitions). Saints have won three times. The teams have reached a stalemate on three occasions.
St. Johnstone were left frustrated during their last league match against Hearts. Despite an early red card for Juanma, Saints struggled to take advantage of their additional man. To rub salt into the wound, Steven MacLean missed a penalty as the match approached its latter stages. The game ended in a 0-0 draw.
On Wednesday night, St. Johnstone's Steven Anderson equalled the club's all-time appearance record. The stalwart defender has made 361 appearances for Saints, the same amount as previous record-holder Alan Main. Those in attendance at Tynecastle may therefore witness a significant milestone. If selected, 'Ando' will break the record by making his 362nd appearance.
With Darnell Fisher returning from his one-match suspension, Tommy Wright has a full squad to choose from (apart from club captain Dave Mackay, expected to recover from a hip operation before the beginning of the 2016/17 campaign).
Come along to Tynecastle tomorrow afternoon as St. Johnstone aim to edge ever nearer towards the confirmation of another top six finish. Come on ye Saints!
match preview by Ollie Wale
Match tickets are available from the St. Johnstone Ticket Office today until 5pm. Arrangements for supporters to pay will be in place at Tynecastle tomorrow for those unable to buy in advance.
Tickets prices are as follows:
UPPER SECTION Adults - £24 Over 65s and students - £18 Under 18s - £14 Under 12s - £5
LOWER SECTION Adults - £18 Over 65s and students - £13 Under 18s - £10 Under 12s - £5