Mighty Quinn puts Lions to the sword

Mar 18 2008

THE scoreline might be deceiving but this was one of St Johnstone’s more impressive displays of the campaign.

And manager Derek McInnes wasn’t allowing Hamilton’s victory over Dundee on their favoured plastic pitch to detract from a victory which ensures his players head for Paisley tonight in fine fettle, knowing it’s well within their capabilities to advance to the cup semi-final at the expense of St Mirren.

While midfielder Rocco Quinn captured the headlines courtesy of two superb goals to top a powerful individual contribution, the quality of football from back to front warranted greater return.

Accies must be relieved this lot aren’t breathing down their necks with the finishing line now on the horizon.

If this is the template of how McInnes wants his team to perform, Perth supporters are in for a treat next season. Having identified talent, his biggest challenge will be coaxing or cajoling personnel currently on loan to commit longer term to his vision for restoring SPL football to these parts. Either that, or go out and find more of the same.

There’s no doubt McInnes can spot a player, and not just a former teammate like accomplished midfielder Jody Morris. The evidence is out there on the park. And his transition from player to manager has been seamless, justifying the board’s decision to elevate McInnes when Owen Coyle ventured over the border.

Tactically, he again proved flexible and the balanced 4-4-2 formation combined solidity, mobility and creativity. No Goran Stanic, but Paul Sheerin proved a capable, if contrasting deputy, while Steven Anderson was back in his comfort zone alongside Allan McManus.

But it was going forward that Saints sparkled, with Livingston reeling like a Saturday might drunk in the opening 10 minutes.

The game should have been done and dusted. It could have been Lions to the slaughter.

Liam Craig took deliberate aim but guided his shot past the post in the first assault, Quinn hit the side netting, Barry Wilson almost hooked home and Quinn skimmed the crossbar from 18 yards.

The pattern continued unabated, with some even clearer opportunities wasted later in the contest.

But having relied on Anderson’s calm defending to thwart shy and retiring, orange-booted peroxide blond Leigh Griffiths netting, Saints secured a 24th minute advantage, as Livi’s offside trap disintegrated. Sheerin, whose touch, distribution and vision more than compensated for fears he could be exposed by Dorrans, released Quinn beyond the half-way line. His perceptive lob left the advancing keeper in no man’s land and the nod home from two years was a formality. Quinn had time to complete a Sudoku or figure out the Gretna accounts, before completing the formalities.

Wilson was then sent clear but allowed Stewart to win that duel before Snodgrass dived to head clear a netbound Craig strike. The second half began with Peter MacDonald unable to squeeze his second touch past the goalkeeper after Gary Irvine and Wilson stretched the home defence.

But Main had to show his reflexes remain undiminished by his 40 years when he somehow parried a back post Snodgrass header. It was a vital save and a timely warning that Livi weren’t down and out. But when Quinn latched onto a clearance in the 56th minute, the midfielder combined power, timing and technique to thrash a 25-yard half-volley high into the net, with the goalkeeper transfixed.

Main had another spring-heeled leap to frustrate Walker but somehow Livi survived further damage at the other end. Quinn set-up Steven Milne with a gift but Stewart blocked brilliantly and then the Craig-Quinn combination saw the goalie prevent stylish sub Kevin Moon netting the third.

Livingston: Stewart, MacKay, James, McPake, McCaffrey, Makel, Dorrans, Walker, Griffiths, Fox (Malone 76) and Snodgrass. Subs not used: Tinkler, MacDonald, Jacobs and Lunn.

St Johnstone: Main, Irvine, Anderson, Morris, McManus, Craig, Wilson (Moon 57), Quinn, Jackson (Milne 64), MacDonald (Weatherston 83) and Sheerin. Subs not used: James and Cuthbert.

Referee: Steve Conroy.