St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright described his team’s first Premiership away win of the season and first of the calendar year as the “perfect day”.
The Perth men are off the bottom of the table and above their weekend opponents Hearts on the back of a thoroughly deserved 1-0 victory.
Faced with the challenge of coming up against Daniel Stendel, a manager new to Scottish football, Wright’s tactics worked perfectly, as did his decision to introduce supersub and match winner Callum Hendry.
“It was a perfect day,” said the Northern Irishman.
“We knew how they were going to play after watching some Barnsley games.
“So we worked on trying to play in behind them as early as possible if they were going to press us high up the pitch.
“We got a few opportunities and the win was well deserved. My goalkeeper wasn’t over-worked and defenders do what they should do – head it, kick it and defend crosses.
“I don’t think anyone can begrudge us the win. We looked the more threatening side and they haven’t created a clear-cut chance.
“When they were punting the ball 60 or 70 yards up the pitch it was easy to deal with.
“It’s been coming. We had a good clean-sheet at Kilmarnock and we looked more of a threat today.”
On Hendry’s decisive contribution in his first appearance since being red-carded against Aberdeen, Wright observed: “It’s a hard shift when you’re playing up there alone so it was important to get fresh legs on.
“Callum’s got a habit of nicking goals. He probably should have scored the one that has gone out for the corner but he has obviously made up for it with his great movement for the goal.
“Sometimes with zonal marking there is space to attack. It was great delivery and a great header. I’m really pleased for Callum. He’s bounced back well from his wee moment of madness against Aberdeen.
“His best performances have been when he’s come off the bench. We have to make sure that when he gets starts he does that little bit better but he’s certainly an important member of our squad and someone you can rely on to come off the bench and nick us a goal.”
