It has been quite the week for Liam Craig.
The experienced midfielder was still smiling from last Sunday’s League Cup win when he strolled out for this Premiership fixture.
And he again played a starring role by netting the only goal of the game to keep St Johnstone’s top six hopes alive and kicking.
A low, curling first half effort was enough to get the better of Hibs at McDiarmid Park.
Shaun Rooney hadn’t recovered from a knock at Hamilton to be named in the squad and Craig Bryson also missed out completely. Dropping to the bench were Scott Tanser and Stevie May.
Handed a rare run from the first whistle on the right flank was Michael O’Halloran, while cup-winning trio Callum Booth, Ali McCann and Chris Kane all returned from the start.
It would be fair to say that this Saints squad would still be on a high from last week’s League Cup win at Hampden. Long-serving Craig, rightly regarded as a club legend, certainly enjoyed an emotional day at the national stadium.
Yet here he was, fresh from midweek at Hamilton and playing his third game in quick succession, leading by example from the off.
When the ball looped down from the sky towards his direction with 16 minutes on the clock, there was only one thought in his head.
And thank goodness. After a neat touch and quickly adjusting, he curled a left-footed curler into the bottom corner.
A content smile spread across his face. Rightly so, it was his 60th career goal for the Perth club.
Hibs had struggled to offer much of an attacking threat in the opening half hour but went close twice as the break approached.
First home defender Jamie McCart turned a Josh Doig cross narrowly over his own crossbar before Joe Newell pulled wide of the post from a promising position.
The visitors, who Saints had dismantled in the semi-final of the League Cup, went searching for the equaliser early in the second half. Jackson Irvine nodded wide and then, on 55 minutes, Paul Hanlon could only head over from eight yards.
Perth manager Callum Davidson opted for a quick formation change and introduced Craig Conway for Guy Melamed.
Saints had again looked solid at the back and Zander Clark assured every time he ventured out to punch or collect a high ball.
He was positioned well in the 66th minute to beat away a powerful Christian Doidge drive from the edge of the box.
While defending well, at this point Perth players were struggling to piece together a dangerous attack to double their lead.
Hibs full-back Doig was determined to pull his side level and cut inside with intent as the game entered its final 10 minutes. He dragged a right-footed shot goalwards but it whistled marginally wide of the mark.
Saints continued to battle to hold onto their lead. This was a brave display right through to the final whistle.
