St Johnstone striker Brian Graham has revealed that a “rollicking” was behind the team’s transformation at Dens Park.
After a first half dominated by Dundee, who took the lead through David Clarkson four minutes before the break, it was all change for Saints in the second period.
They were quick and imaginative in attack and could have earned more than the 1-1 draw secured by Graham’s 53rd-minute spot-kick, awarded after the on-loan Dundee United man had his jersey pulled by Dundee defender James Mcpake.
Graham revealed it was some choice words from manager Tommy Wright at half-time that did the trick.
He said: “In the first half we were never in it and Dundee had a number of chances.
“We had to thank our keeper Alan Mannus because he kept us in the game.
“Then we got a bit of a rollicking and rightly so. The manager wasn’t too happy. Let’s just say he put his point across and it worked. It was one of those days where we didn’t start particularly well and we came up against a team who had been flying high.
“They put us to the sword in the first 45 but it was the proverbial game of two halves. We maybe should have won it in the end.”
Graham was a picture of calm as he slotted home his penalty.
He said: “I always put my name forward for penalty kicks. Centre-forwards should be scoring goals and luckily enough I tucked it away.
If I am being honest I am just delighted to be out playing football.
“Last year was very frustrating because I was in and out of the team at Dundee United because of the form of Nadir Ciftci.
“There was nothing I could do but things are going well and long may that continue.”
The big talking point wasn’t Graham’s goal, though it was referee Bobby Madden’s decision not to award a penalty to Dundee on six minutes when Clarkson went down after being challenged by Mannus.
Graham said: “I spoke to Alan about it and he said he just stood his ground.
“David probably should have scored but maybe it was a harsh booking. Perhaps the ref should have just played on.”