First Team
Saints 0-3 Aberdeen
1st July 2017
Saturday 1st July
Tommy Wright made an entire team of changes from Thursday night's Europa League qualifier against Trakai for this afternoon's friendly at home to Aberdeen.
Alan Mannus, Chris Millar and Murray Davidson were the experienced heads in a starting eleven with the remainder aged 24 or younger. Summer signings Stefan Scougall, Kyle McClean and Scott Tanser all played from the start, while trialist Callum Hendry featured in the second half.
The visitors ran out 3-0 winners with goals coming from Adam Rooney (32), Ryan Christie (43) and Bruce Anderson (85), but Saints will be happy that a number of potential starters for Thursday's match in Lithuania were given some much-needed game time against strong opposition.
MATCH REPORT
Saints headed into Saturday’s pre-season friendly with Aberdeen looking to improve on their result midweek against Lithuanian side FK Trakai. Tommy Wright fielded a completely different starting XI, bringing in new signings Scougall, McLean and Tanser. Comrie, Kerr and Gordon accompanied the later to for a youthful defence for Saints.
The first real chance of the game came on 7 minutes when a Kenny McLean header was half cleared, and the second ball was headed at goal by Andy Considine, however Mannus matched the early effort.
Adam Rooney then came close on 12 minutes, as he found space in the box before lashing over.
Saints first chance came on 17 minutes, when brilliant link up from Davdison and Scougall culminated in a rasping Kane effort which was palmed over by Lewis.
The best chance came on the half hour mark, as Kane burst through the Aberdeen defence, however Lewis reacted quickly and gathered before the striker could convert.
Aberdeen took the lead on 32 minutes, as a short Jason Kerr passback was intercepted by Rooney who rounded the keeper scored with composure. 0-1.
A fantastic Comrie cross found Thomson as half time loomed, however the young winger may not have been expecting the ball to have made it to him, and struggled to make a clean contact.
Aberdeen doubled their lead just before the break as Ryan Christie headed in a Logan cross. 0-2.
At half time, Aberdeen brought on Miles Storey for Greg Stewart, while Saints fielded the same XI.
Jason Kerr came close within a minute, as a Scougall corner reached the former East Fife loanee at the back post, however his volley flew over.
St Johnstone brought on Hurst Wotherspoon and Watson for Millar, Comrie and Scougall.
Aberdeen brought on McKenna, Ross, McNaughton, Harvie, McLennan, Stockley, Storie, a trialist and Anderson on the hour mark for everyone but Lewis and Storey as McInnes switched his team completely.
Mannus did fantastically to deny Frank Ross with 20 minutes to go, diving to his right to save the drive with one hand.
Saints swapped Kane for their trialist with ten minutes to go, the trialist being Callum Hendry, son of former Scotland internationalist Colin.
Bruce Anderson wrapped up the win for Aberdeen, lashing a loose ball hom with five minutes remaining.
Don Robertson blew for full time at 3-0, with a young Saints side impressing despite the scoreline. Full time: St Johnstone 0-3 Aberdeen.
Saints: Mannus, Comrie (Watson, 60), Kerr, Gordon, Tanser, Millar (Wotherspoon, 60), Davidson, McLean, Thomson, Scougall (G Hurst, 60), Kane (Trialist, 80). Unused subs: M Hurst, Alston, Shaughnessy, Craig, Cummins.
Aberdeen: Lewis, Logan (McNaughton, 65), Shinnie (McKenna 65), Considine (Harvie), O’Connor (Storie, 65), Reynolds (McLennan, 65), McLean (Ross, 65), Stewart (Storey, 46), Rooney (Stockley, 65), Tansey (Anderson, 65), Christie (Trialist, 65). Unused subs: Rodgers, Campbell, Dabanli.
Goals: Rooney (32), Christie (44), Anderson (85)
Referee: Don McNaughton Attendance: 1939 Man of the Match: Kyle McLean
Match Report by Ross Gardiner.