ST JOHNSTONE paid the perfect tribute to captain Dave Mackay as the retired defender’s jersey was held aloft to acclaim Graham Cummins’ winning goal in their hard-earned victory over Hearts.
Cummins struck in the 58th minute to deny the visitors the opportunity to move into top spot in the Premiership and, in a choreographed celebration, a posse of the jubilant home players surrounded Mackay’s No 2 shirt. It was a touching testimonial to the Scottish Cup-winning skipper in the wake of his decision to hang up his boots at the age of 36 because of a troublesome hip injury. Scotland manager Gordon Strachan also got in on the act on his way out of McDiarmid Park when he climbed the main-stand steps to shake Mackay’s hand and offer words of encouragement.
Cummins knocked in Liam Craig’s low drive to give Saints the chance to hail their team-mate, although the Irishman confessed he was not sure what to do once he got his hands on the strip.
“As soon as I scored, it just clicked into my head that I had to get the shirt,” explained the Irishman. “But once I had it, I didn’t know what to do with it, to be honest – it was a bit weird, kind of like a funeral! Still, it’s a great gesture. I’ve travelled with Dave for a year and he’s a great lad. He winds me up a lot, but it was sad to see him go this week.”
Though the spotlight fell on the unassuming Mackay off the pitch, on it Saints had goalkeeper Zander Clark to thank for the victory. The 24-year-old made two superb stops to deny Faycal Rherras and Jamie Walker before the break and flung himself to his left to tip a Tony Watt free-kick round the post in the second-half.
“Zander has made two unbelievable saves. The goalkeeper’s been excellent,” beamed Tommy Wright, with the St Johnstone manager delighted his players were able to salute Mackay.
“I didn’t know it was happening and I’m just pleased they were able to do it,” he added. “It’s great. It’s been a sad week but in amongst that sadness about Dave retiring it’s the right decision for him, personally, and we wish him well. All the accolades he’s had this week are deserved because he’s been a great servant. He’s been my captain and I’ll miss him.”
Wright had claimed Hearts deserved a reputation for maximising any contact’, so the irony of two of his players being cautioned for diving was not lost on those in attendance.
Cummins was first to see yellow, in front of the baying Hearts support just 14 minutes in, and substitute Chris Kane followed him into John Beaton’s book five minutes from time.
Callum Paterson came within inches of rescuing a point for Hearts with a header two minutes from time but it turned into a dismal afternoon for the Tynecastle side, whose misery was completed by head coach Robbie Neilson being sent to the stand 14 minutes from time.
“I was sent to the stand for clapping,” Neilson claimed. “Nicholson puts a good delivery in, we get a good attack at it, I clap it. The fourth official thought it was sarcastic at the ref for a decision and I got sent to the stand. Obviously I’m not allowed to clap. Where are we going if you can’t clap? Not a word was said at all, no swearing, nothing.”
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