St Johnstone have incredibly secured a top six place.
Substitute Glenn Middleton’s super turn and finish with three minutes remaining clinched victory against Ross County in Perth.
And Hamilton’s late equaliser at home to St Mirren paved the way for the determined men from the Fair City to jump into sixth.
Saints were struggling down the bottom of the table as Christmas approached. But what a turnaround.
Directors and club officials cheered the full-time whistle both at McDiarmid Park and when news filtered through from Accies.
Callum Davidson, in his first season in management, take a bow. Top six and a League Cup trophy.
One change was noted on the team-sheet from Saints’ last outing against Hibs a couple of weeks ago. Michael O’Halloran dropped out with cup-winning goal hero Shaun Rooney returning after recovering from injury.
O’Halloran performed admirably in that game and you had to feel sorry for him that it was back to the bench. But such is the strength of the squad this term, it’s just the way it is.
Perhaps the most consistent performer of the season has been David Wotherspoon and his quality ball control was again evident early doors. He twisted and turned on 24 minutes before the ball was worked to Ali McCann who forced a smart save out of Ross Laidlaw.
The Ross County goalkeeper was called into action not long after when Guy Melamed’s sublime reverse pass sent strike partner Chris Kane in behind at a tight angle. Going for the low route with his strike, he couldn’t find a way past.
Saints were clearly the better side here although still didn’t have a breakthrough as the half-time whistle sounded. Callum Booth did his best to change that right before the whistle but guided straight at Laidlaw from Rooney’s cutback.
The Betfred Cup winners continued to look threatening in the opening stages of the second half and Liam Craig went for glory from distance in the 56th minute. His strike had the power, not the direction and was easy for Laidlaw to gather.
Ross County’s first clear-cut chance arrived on 66 minutes when Keith Watson hooked back into the box for Coll Donaldson. While the penalty box was crowded, he still should have done better than to smash high over the bar.
Stevie May, Scott Tanser and Glenn Middleton all entered the action and the latter had a glorious opportunity when he burst through on goal at pace. He stayed on his feet under pressure before nudging well wide of the mark.
But he more than made up for it in the 87th minute. He collected a May cutback, swivelled superbly and fired low into the net.
When Hamilton netted a late equaliser against the Paisley Saints, top six was secure by the finest of margins.
