St Johnstone’s Chris Millar heaped praise on fellow midfielder Danny Swanson after Saturday’s Scottish Premiership win away at Motherwell.
Swanson has been in inspired form since returning from the summer break and pulled Saints back into this second league fixture before Steven MacLean sent three points home to Perth.
Well’s Chris Cadden had earlier opened the scoring for the hosts, against the run of play, but Tommy Wright’s men battled to secure another comeback victory.
Captain for the day Millar made his return from injury and slotted into the visiting midfield – which also welcomed back Murray Davidson – with ease.
The 33-year-old knows this squad of Perth players will never back down from a challenge and said: “We have a work ethic and know what we’re all about at the club.
“We’ve played together for a long time – the spine of the team has been together for a number of years. But we have quality too and Danny Swanson has been different class.
“He’s been talking about a new diet but I’ve been seeing him eating cake for fun. He likes a wee fudge doughnut on a Friday. But if that’s what he’s saying he can keep it going because he has been unplayable.
“I remember playing against him when he was at Dundee United and he put me on my backside a couple of times. He’s great to have about the dressing room as well.
“We’re glad we have him and hopefully he can keep producing performances like that. Danny is not the biggest but he is strong and isn’t easily pushed off the ball. He looks a lot fitter after getting a pre-season under his belt.”
Saints, after their League Cup victory over Hearts during the week, started with purpose and striker Chris Kane had a sight of goal with only two minutes on the clock.
The 21-year-old was supplied by intelligent play from Swanson but had his first time strike blocked en route to goal.
Kane continued to cause the Well rearguard problems when he chased down a hopeful long ball, beating home keeper Craig Samson in the process, before directing his effort across the face of goal.
The Perth side, who also welcomed Brad McKay into defence for his first start in a year, were recycling the ball nicely in a midfield which patrolled the centre of the park with desire and determination.
It’s a squad which can be chopped and changed without weakening and Millar reckons that will serve the club well over the coming season.
“There’s competition for places with the gaffer bringing in a few midfielders,” he said.
“But it shows the depth of the squad after our good result during the week.
“It’s a squad which brings us success, not just the 11 players on the pitch. I think the players who have come in have added to what we’ve got here.
“They’ve bought in to the way we want to go about our business. I was delighted to play my part and get the win.”
Motherwell weren’t non-existent, however, especially when Marvin Johnson powered into the box before drilling a cross to the back post for Lionel Ainsworth as half-time approached. He could only guide the ball into the side netting.
Mark McGhee’s men nudged in front two minutes into the second half. Advancing Richard Tait squared across the face of goal from the right flank for Cadden to guide home at the back post.
It was perhaps harsh on Saints but they weren’t behind for long. The equaliser came in the 57th minute from crafty Swanson, who jinked into the box before firing a low, left-footed drive through the legs of Samson.
He shortly became the architect to slip Kane through on goal but the youngster, advancing on goal at the angle, could only drag his effort wide of the post. Johnson then forced Alan Mannus to tip behind for a corner.
The winner was soon forthcoming. And it was alert Steven MacLean who reacted quickest in the 75th minute to nod past Samson after the home keeper had spilled a Kane strike from the edge of the box.
Saints boss Tommy Wright said: “We controlled large parts of the game. I thought our play was excellent, very pleasing on the eye as well. If we were guilty of anything, it was maybe over-playing a little bit in the first half.
“But again we showed character to come back. They did it quite a bit last season as well, and that’s something that you can’t buy.
“There are no prima donnas in the dressing room, they all have to muck in. So that helps when the chips are down, because they get on well off the pitch and on the pitch.”