Reaction: Matt Smith on final day emotions

Matt Smith was delighted to secure Scottish Premiership status on Sunday as Saints defeated Motherwell.

Goals from Adama Sidibeh and Nicky Clark resulted in victory over the Steelmen at Fir Park and with Ross County drawing with Aberdeen, St Johnstone finished the season in tenth place.

Reacting to a hectic final day, midfielder Smith said: “It was one of the best days in my football career. It has been a rollercoaster of a season.

“It is a credit to the lads and the staff and the people who are in and around the club every day.

“Relegation is something that can change livelihoods and for me personally that is something that I looked at.

“I know how it can impact people and I think the lads stepped up today and the result at Ross County worked out brilliantly for us.”

On the game itself against Motherwell, Smith continued: “The game was just about digging in and I thought we started really well.

“I thought some of our passages of play were brilliant. I thought in the second half we looked a bit tired because we had put in a massive shift.

“There was a moment when Gordy and Gowzer both put a challenge in and it summed up what we had to do for the rest of the game. Flying bodies.

“Fantastic performance and a fantastic day for the club and the city.”

On the full-time scenes with the St Johnstone fans, Smith added: “It was manic. I was getting quite emotional at the end.

“It has been tough, so many ups and downs, but it is a credit to the players and the staff. We never gave up and we kept fighting.

“It wasn’t a perfect season for us, there is lots we can improve on and I’m sure we will do going into next year.”