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St Johnstone 2022/23 player ratings: 21 stars go under microscope as Steven MacLean plans changes for first full Premiership campaign

Who were the stars as the Perth side left it late to stay in the top flight?

Stevie May, Ryan McGowan, Nicky Clark and Drey Wright all had good seasons for St Johnstone.
Stevie May, Ryan McGowan, Nicky Clark and Drey Wright all had good seasons for St Johnstone. Images: SNS.

Over 30 players took the field for St Johnstone in a competitive game over the course of the 2022/23 season.

Courier Sport assesses and rates the 21 who featured 10 or more times over the campaign.


Elliott Parish – 6

He didn’t look convincing in the League Cup group games – and not having an early look at Ross Sinclair was perhaps a missed opportunity for Callum Davidson.

But the back-up keeper was part of a drought-ending home win against Rangers, pulling off one particularly impressive save low to his left to deny James Tavernier an equaliser.

Now on the coaching staff, Parish also helped Saints to a victory in Dingwall when Remi Matthews had tested positive for Covid.

I’ve made an exception to the ’10 or more’ appearances rule for Parish – anybody who starred in that rangers game deserves to be included.


Remi Matthews – 7.5

There was mild panic in the Perth fan base after Saints had started and finished their League Cup fixtures without replacing Zander Clark.

That panic quickly evaporated on seeing Matthews make an accomplished debut against Hibs.

You don’t need all the fingers of one hand to count the mistakes made that led to a goal conceded, which speaks volumes about the Englishman’s consistently high standards.

As was said a few times over the course of the season – and remained the case through to Matthews’ last game at Kilmarnock – the biggest tribute you can pay the Crystal Palace goalie is that Clark’s departure never became a problem.

Celtic's James Forrest has a shot saved by Remi Matthews.
Celtic’s James Forrest has a shot saved by Remi Matthews. Image: SNS.

James Brown – 6.5

Davidson’s Mr Versatile struggled more than most at the end of the double-winning manager’s reign.

Kilmarnock in March was a tough watch.

But by that time he’d scored a famous St Johnstone goal against Rangers.

And, to Brown’s great credit, he’s since been steady and reliable at right-back in Steven MacLean’s new system.

Worthy of a new contract, I’d say.


Ryan McGowan – 8

Right-sided centre-back in a three, right wing-back, right-back and a holding central midfielder – the Australian international has excelled in all four.

The first of those positions is arguably the one he’s best suited to these days but it no longer exists in the MacLean era so it will be fascinating to see where he plays most of his football next season.

Kilmarnock post-split was a defensive midfield masterclass, with Tannadice in October another stand-out performance.

Had he not been injured for a couple of months, McGowan could well have been player of the year.

But had he been injured for longer, Saints would have been in deep trouble.

Ryan McGowan celebrates a win at Easter Road.
Ryan McGowan celebrates a win at Easter Road. Image: Shutterstock.

Drey Wright – 8

I can totally understand why Wright picked up the majority of the fans’ end of season awards (and the one chosen by his team-mates).

To think some supporters were underwhelmed when he was brought back from Hibs.

When Davidson’s wing-back formation worked well, Wright was at the heart of the good, attacking play.

But even when it didn’t function smoothly, he did a solid defensive job for the most part (we’ll not mention what happened for Celtic’s late, late winner in October).

Add Wright’s seven goals into the equation and this was probably the best season of his career.


Adam Montgomery – 7.5

Like Wright, Montgomery was/is a very good wing-back.

He too has made the transition to a different position under MacLean – full-back in this case – with ease.

The improvement in Montgomery’s defensive work has been significant.

A lovely first touch, willingness to drive at an opponent and take him on and an ability to lift his head and assess his options before crossing are all assets that could see him eventually become a Celtic first team player.

Bringing him back to Perth for another season will surely be a summer transfer priority.

This is exactly how a loan should work.

Adam Montgomery celebrates as Saints get the win they needed to stay up.
Adam Montgomery celebrates as Saints get the win they needed to stay up. Image: SNS.

Andy Considine – 6.5

The former Scotland international was heading for a much higher score in the early months of the season.

He’s been worthwhile recruit and played an important part in some big wins (the likes of Montgomery and Alex Mitchell will have learned so much from playing and training with him).

But red cards and giving away penalties and free-kicks became recurring second half of the campaign themes.

At 36, he’ll not be a guaranteed starter next season.

Andy Considine battles with Rangers' Alfredo Morelos.
Andy Considine battles with Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos. Image: PA.

Liam Gordon – 7.5

The captain lost his form in the middle of winter, along with several others.

Davidson stuck by him though.

That faith certainly helped save Saints’ Premiership status in the end, even though it would be under a different manager.

Two winning goals after the split and a succession of ‘thou shalt not pass’ performances were the definition of a skipper leading by example.


Alex Mitchell – 6.5

The on-loan centre-half can consider himself unlucky to not have got more game-time.

His best positions are as one of a two or in the middle of a three.

Mitchell is no Jason Kerr in the right-sided slot but, with the captain to dislodge, that’s where he was often asked to do a job for the team in Davidson’s favoured formation.

In the first couple of months he was Saints’ best defender and it wouldn’t be a surprise is he makes the breakthrough at Millwall next season.

If not, Perth fans would love to see him return.

There were plenty of Alex Mitchell blocks like this one.
There were plenty of Alex Mitchell blocks like this one. Image: SNS.

Cammy MacPherson – 7

This season was much more like it for MacPherson.

Having not been dragged down by injuries to the same extent as in his first season in Perth, there were plenty of games in which he helped earn Saints central midfield control.

Around February time, the partnership with Dan Phillips was one of the most effective in the league.

Some more set-piece assists or goals would elevate MacPherson to the next level.

Cammy MacPherson in action at Tynecastle.
Cammy MacPherson in action at Tynecastle. Image: SNS.

David Wotherspoon – 5.5

It was a credit to the Canadian international that he did enough on return from knee surgery to get to the World Cup – and play in it.

That Wotherspoon struggled for regular club game-time on his return from Qatar – and didn’t grasp his opportunities when he got them – has led to MacLean deciding to release the three-time cup winner.

I suspect his style of play – and age – not aligning with MacLean’s vision of a run all day, high-pressing unit may well be the reason.

It certainly won’t be the skillset that is up there with the best creative players in the league.

The new manager has made some bold calls in his few weeks in the job and this one is perhaps the boldest of the lot.

Wotherspoon’s status as the greatest ever St Johnstone player is assured, though.


Graham Carey – 6

This one is probably the hardest of them all to grade.

Carey is a hugely talented player. He started the season well and finished strongly too.

But given his technical ability, there should have been far more in the way of contributions to goals from the Irishman’s left foot.

I wouldn’t want to see him in central midfield again unless it’s an emergency.

He’s done his best work on the right or left of an attacking three.


Melker Hallberg – 6.5

As with Carey, at least we can say with certainty now that his best position isn’t deep-lying midfielder.

Hallberg ably supported Stevie May when Davidson, and then MacLean, pushed him further forward and the goals at Tannadice and Fir Park showcased the Swede’s ability to time a run and finish.

Talks have begun with a view to a new contract at McDiarmid Park but he’ll have other options in Scotland and my gut feeling is it’s likelier he goes than stays given Saints are well-stocked in Hallberg’s best slot.


Dan Phillips – 7.5

Davidson managed the young midfielder’s introduction into the team very well and the fact he was so impressive when he eventually got a run of starts was because of that period of acclimatisation to Scottish football rather than despite it.

For a month or so Phillips was man of the match more often than not and one of the best playmakers in the country.

He should end up earning a living at a significantly higher level than Saints and the club should put a new contract under his nose before next season starts so they make sure he’ll command a decent transfer fee.

Performances against Rangers and Celtic suggested Phillips has Glen Kamara-type ability and the potential to follow that sort of career route.

Dan Phillips
Dan Phillips. Image: SNS.

Ali Crawford – 5

He’ll always have Dingwall.

Two second half goals in front of the travelling support to win the first game back after the World Cup was the peak of Crawford’s season – and Saints’ season actually.

Christmas was a week away and the Perth side were fifth in the table, one point off third.

Crawford has been a player of moments – some very important moments, it must be said – but that’s as far as it has gone.

A mid-season loan to Morton made sense and it is hard to imagine him now being ahead of Cammy Ballantyne, Max Kucheriavyi and maybe even Alex Ferguson in the midfield pecking order.

A summer move is to be expected.


Jamie Murphy – 5.5

He brought the attitude of an elite attacker to McDiarmid and there were glimpses of the talent that took him to big money moves and international football.

Both were on show when he stood up to be counted as a substitute against Hearts and Livingston while others were wilting.

At that point, it felt as if Murphy was unlucky to have suffered from a Davidson change of formation and was underused.

He did see more action latterly, however.

In the end, Murphy struggled to make an impact as a starter or sub and, not being able to accelerate off the mark like he used to, will likely see him drop down a league in the summer.

Jamie Murphy.
Jamie Murphy. Image: SNS.

Stevie May – 8.5

My player of the year and now the last of the 2014 Scottish Cup winners in the Perth squad.

It wasn’t until the fifth league game that May started for Saints in the league – Hearts away.

But after linking up with Nicky Clark the following weekend, there was no shifting him.

He was at his best playing off Clark but once the former Dundee United man was ruled out for the season with an ankle injury, May’s importance to the side and the survival cause soared beyond anybody else.

Even when he wasn’t scoring, he was doing his best to drag Saints up the pitch and if ever a goal summed up a player, it was the slide-tackle winner at Tannadice.

Ten in the campaign is an excellent return for a striker who hasn’t been prolific since career-high season nearly a decade ago.

May is more valuable to St Johnstone than he’s ever been and, with David Wotherspoon, Murray Davidson and Michael O’Halloran now gone, he’ll provide a crucial link to the trophy-winning glory days.


Connor McLennan – 6

McLennan’s debut cameo was almost as encouraging as Clark’s.

His run and skill to earn Saints a late penalty suggested he would be a valuable loan recruit from Pittodrie.

Unfortunately, he was unable to make the leap from reliable substitute to must-pick starter.

I’m still not sure what his best position is, which probably sums up McLennan’s season in Perth.

Connor McLennan earns a penalty on his debut.
Connor McLennan earns a penalty on his debut. Image: SNS.

Nicky Clark – 7

The stakes were high for Davidson when it came to making his mind up on which centre-forward to sign.

He took his time and plenty were considered, Louis Moult among them.

An intelligent, focal point-type striker who could bring others into play was essential to the effectiveness of this side.

The ‘team first’ attribute was more important than the individual goals tally.

Clark scored four, all of them contributing to points won.

The injury-time overhead kick equaliser in Paisley is a strong goal of the season contender and his header at Easter Road one of the most significant moments.

Clark’s three-month absence had a heavy impact.

But in terms of a full season, United’s loss was certainly Saints’ gain.


Theo Bair – 4.5

The Canadian started two League Cup group games and the first four Premiership fixtures.

At this level, that’s a proper chance.

But he didn’t seize it.

The chest-assist for Jamie Murphy at Motherwell was a moment of quality but a miss at Ibrox felt like a bigger sliding doors moment.

There was another one against Rangers later in the season, when Bair should have sent a Scottish Cup tie into extra-time.

A player who thrived in closed-doors games never looked like a natural fit when the tempo was lifted in the Premiership.

It’s as simple as that.

His one goal at Rugby Park was a lovely, pure strike but there has been nowhere near enough evidence to suggest things will come good next season.

In hindsight, a loan as soon as he arrived in Scotland would have been best for Bair.

That Steven MacLean has made him available for transfer makes sense for player and club.

Theo Bair scores his first St Johnstone goal. Image: SNS.
Theo Bair scores his first St Johnstone goal. Image: SNS.

Zak Rudden – 5.5

Rudden looks closer than Bair to being a Premiership-ready striker but not close enough.

His header to open the scoring against St Mirren was the finish of a top class number nine.

It’s a real shame that getting off the mark didn’t see Rudden take his game to the next level.

The Dundee loan attacker’s outside of the box work – a facet of his game in need of greatest improvement, we were led to believe – was actually good.

But it felt as if he was trying too hard to impress (and score), too often shooting when the better option was a pass and, at Rugby Park, missing a sitter.

I wouldn’t rule out Rudden becoming a top-flight striker eventually but he’s not there yet and isn’t what Saints will need next season.

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