First Team
REACTION | Kilmarnock 0-0 Saints
5th December 2019
Saints left Ayrshire with a point last night after a hard fought draw with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The result lifts Saints off the bottom of the Ladbrokes Premiership table into 11th leapfrogging St. Mirren in the process. It leaves Tommy Wright's men behind Hamilton and Hearts on goal difference and just three points behind 8th placed Livingston.
The Manager made five changes to his starting XI last night with Liam Gordon returning from a knee injury after a prolonged spell on the sidelines and Callum Booth making his debut for the Club.
Also coming into the starting line-up were Liam Craig, Michael O'Halloran and Drey Wright, with Scott Tanser, Wallace Duffy, David Wotherspoon, Matty Kennedy and Stevie May all dropping to the bench.
Speaking to Saints TV post-match, the Manager said he was pleased with the point at Rugby Park but is still looking for more cutting edge from his players in the final third.
THE MANAGER: "It was a good point for us particularly after the game at the weekend against Motherwell to get a point and a clean sheet - you'd take that.
"We nullified their threat. Liam Craig did a good job in front of the back four, the two centre halves did well and Boothy having not played a competitive game in so long had a good game too.
"We kept Chris Burke quiet and if I was being critical the only thing I was slightly disappointed with was the final decision and final pass in the last third.
"It was a blustery night and on this pitch everything has to be perfect right. We lacked that little bit of quality and execution which meant we didn't really test their goalkeeper enough for the positions we got ourselves into.
"We did well though and the players showed a lot of character. They've been getting it left, right and centre at the moment and many people would've been writing us off going into the game but they stepped up and I'm really pleased.
"I made five changes and selected the team I thought had the best chance of getting something from the match. Liam Craig's been here a long time and knows what's required and by playing him in front of the back four it allowed Ali and Jason Holt to push up on to Dicker and Power.
"Boothy has been waiting patiently for his chance since he came to the Club and he took it. I had one or two difficult decisions to make with the team but ultimately the one I selected came away with a good point and that's pleasing.
"Overall I feel we fully merited at least a point and there are plenty positives to take. We're off the bottom of the table and out of the bottom six sides we've taken the most points in the last six games.
"It's our start which is hurting us at the moment but we've picked up a good point on the road. Rugby Park is a great place to come and get something and not many teams will come here and keep a clean sheet."
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