On the surface the scoreline may not add up with the headline, however in a game in which both teams had plenty of chances, St Johnstone took all 3 points back down the A9 with a 1-0 victory thanks to an 89th minute winner from Uche Ikpeazu.
Caley Thistle came into this game off the back of a 2-0 win over Elgin City last Tuesday at the Caledonian Stadium thanks to goals from Billy Mckay and Luis Longstaff.
The Caley Jags had just the 1 change in the starting lineup as Alfie Stewart made the first start of his second stint in the Highland Capital. Ross Millen was absent from the squad which meant Calum Macleod moved into the right back position.
St Johnstone made 2 changes to the lineup that beat East Kilbride with Kirk and Diabate coming in for Svedberg and Baird with Sidibeh, Kirk and Gullan, the goal scorers in that game, all starting for the Saints.
Nothing to separate the sides
This was a very even, end to end contest which could have easily gone either way, St Johnstone had more control towards the end of the first half but were unable to take a lead into the break, with Ross Munro making some crucial saves for the Highlanders.
Caley Thistle had some great chances in the second half as Alfie Stewart and Liam Sole broke through the Saints defence but Stewart’s ball across was held by Steward in goal. Alfie Stewart also saw a free kick from just past the edge of the box tipped over by the Saints keeper for a corner.
Saints left it late
However the sides were separated eventually as Uche Ikpeazu, who came on in the 79th minute as a substitute, scored 10 minutes later with a low shot into the bottom right hand corner which was enough to give St Johnstone all 3 points.
Saints boss Simo Valakari was happy for Uche Ikpeazu, stating “it hasn’t been easy for him, he hasn’t scored for a long time,” so was very happy for him to have scored the winner.
St Johnstone are now joint top of group F with East Kilbride, who won 4-1 against Elgin City at Borough Briggs this afternoon, however Valakari isn’t going to get carried away and will take it game by game and realises their next game against fellow Championship side Raith Rovers at McDiarmid Park on Tuesday night won’t be an easy one.
Kellacher taking the positives
Despite the defeat, Caley Thistle put in a very respectable performance against higher level opposition, which was made clear by the reactions in the home end of the stadium after the full time whistle went.
Kellacher acknowledged that his side could have been better in the first half but was much more pleased with the second half display from his side, and felt that his players gave everything they had and also acknowledged the reception himself and his players got from the fans at full time.
Kellacher also had praise for Saints goalscorer Uche Ikpeazu, recalling his spell at Hearts between 2018 and 2020, and stating that he has ’caused better defenders more problems’.
The Caley boss feels that his side need to ‘be better for longer’ when possible, recalling the performance against Elgin where he felt the first half was very good and then the second half was taken easier, and today where he felt the first half could have been better but was very pleased with the second half.
Waiting game for reinforcements
On Tuesday, Kellacher was “crying out for a striker” but reveals that it is out of his hands at the moment and they are waiting for other clubs before anything can happen, which he admits is a “frustrating game.”
The Caley Jags boss believes his squad is still 2 or 3 signings away from being complete and is hoping to get these deals done as soon as possible.
Looking forward
Inverness make the trip down to East Kilbride on Tuesday night, the Caley Jags will be looking to return to winning ways however East Kilbride are capable of causing an upset as we seen when they took all 3 points at Starks Park last Tuesday.
St Johnstone will face divisional rivals Raith Rovers at McDiarmid Park which will be crucial for their hopes of making the knockout stage, Raith haven’t played since that loss to East Kilbride last Tuesday so they will be arriving in Perth with a point to prove.
I also got to chat with new Caley Thistle Signing Jordan Alonge, so keep an eye out for that being posted over the next couple days.
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