MATCH PREVIEW: SAINTS VERSUS INVERNESS CT
26th July 2016
A couple of weeks ago, St. Johnstone succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Partick Thistle at Firhill. Despite enjoying home advantage, Saints didn't fare much better in their second consecutive midweek clash against the same opposition. A second-half Chris Kane goal merely provided consolation after the Jags had raced into an early two-goal lead.
Tomorrow night, St. Johnstone aim to get back on track. Once again, the Jags will visit McDiarmid Park. On this occasion, however, it's the Caley Jags who make the trip to Perth. The important league encounter will kick off at 7.45pm.
Recent performances have indisputably caused concern. A morale-boosting home win against Motherwell was immediately followed by the 2-0 defeat at Firhill. A hard-fought 1-1 draw at Pittodrie was immediately followed by the recent 2-1 loss against Partick at McDiarmid Park. It's imperative that St. Johnstone embark upon a lengthier run of improved results, using any positive scoreline as a benchmark for their next scheduled fixture.
In order to do themselves justice, Saints must prevent the concession of early goals. In their fifteen home matches this season, they have scored the opening goal on one occasion. To add insult to injury, they have only scored the opening goal in one of their last seventeen matches. The two early goals conceded against Partick were a continuation of an increasingly frustrating habit. Tommy Wright will be looking to eradicate it as his team approaches another stern test in the form of Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
Like St. Johnstone, John Hughes' men have had a weekend's respite from league action. Instead, they participated in the Scottish Cup quarter finals. Andrea Mbuyi-Mutombo was Caley's hero, scoring a second-half equaliser against Hibs at Easter Road. The 1-1 draw has ensured a replay at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium next week. Although the result will undoubtedly act as a confidence boost for the cup holders, St. Johnstone will be hoping to take advantage of any tired legs within the Inverness ranks.
Courtesy of their remarkable run of form during October and November, Saints are still in the Scottish Premiership's top six. They sit in 6th place, within touching distance of Ross County in 4th. Another excellent league finish remains a possibility. However, a defeat against Caley could be damaging to St. Johnstone's aspirations. An away win would draw the Highlanders level on points with Saints. They also have the added benefit of a game in hand. Elsewhere in the Premiership, Partick Thistle face Aberdeen at Firhill tonight. A home win would drop St. Johnstone into the bottom six ahead of tomorrow's encounter.
Inverness have enjoyed the slightly more favourable results in recent head-to-heads against St. Johnstone. The Caley Jags have won five of the last ten meetings between the two clubs. Saints have won three of the clashes. The sides couldn't be separated on two occasions. St. Johnstone will be hoping for a repeat of their most recent encounter against Inverness, when a last-gasp Liam Craig penalty ensured that Saints returned home with a valuable 1-0 victory.
Brian Easton and Chris Millar have returned to training, but this match might arrive too soon for either of the duo. Dave Mackay obviously remains sidelined, but his hip operation has been successful. It is hoped that he'll be ready for first-team action by the start of next season.
Come along to McDiarmid Park tomorrow night and support St. Johnstone as they aim to recapture the magic of previous months. Come on ye Saints!
match preview by Ollie Wale