St Johnstone boss Steve Lomas cut a contented figure after his side held runaway SPL leaders Celtic to a 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park.
Saints have provided more than stubborn resistance to the Hoops in the league this season and did so again last night, taking their fifth point from the reigning champions in the three league encounters played so far this term.
After ending a disappointing first half a goal down to an Efe Ambrose header, Saints battled back and earned a deserved point thanks to substitute Nigel Hasselbaink’s late strike which keeps their hopes of finishing second alive.
“I know it’s an old clich but it’s a game of two halves because it could have been well and truly over and we could have been looking at a long evening if it hadn’t been for Alan Mannus and the back four,” Lomas said. “But rather than focus on what we didn’t do first half, you’ve got to say Celtic’s movement and passing was a joy to watch.
“We had a little change in the second half, brought Gregory Tade on and went to a four in midfield, and we managed to compete and get a bit of a foothold in the game.
“But I thought we were well worth it in the second half. We’re not stupid enough to realise the game could have been well and truly over by 30 minutes.”
Lomas added: “Alan made four or five great saves and we rode our luck at times.
“That said, we were delighted to get in at 1-0 and the subs made a massive impact. I’ve been saying that all along you don’t get anywhere with 11 players and the boys that came on made a great contribution.
“I’ve been asking the boys to come in and try and make a problem for me, and they’ve done that.”
It could have been better for Saints as they had two goals chalked off for offside, the second of which from Frazer Wright looked onside.
Lomas refused to dwell on those incidents and was happy with a point going into this weekend’s game with St Mirren.
“I can’t say anything about the decisions. He’s made the call honestly, so sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up and say you make mistakes.”
His counterpart Neil Lennon was left bemused after Celtic contrived to get the draw.
“The first 45 minutes was the best football I have seen under my time here,” said Lennon.
“On a glue pot of a pitch, the football, the pace, the movement was exceptional and it is a travesty we haven’t won the game because that 45 minutes alone would have won two games. But for the goalkeeper, it should have been six.
“I knew half-time gave them a chance to regroup. Sometimes it is hard to replicate the tempo of the game and that proved to be the case.”
For the full match report see Wednesday’s Courier or try our digital edition.