St Johnstone perform winning hat-trick

Jun 5 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

ST Johnstone capped a phenomenal season by scoring a hat-trick at the Irn-Bru SFL End of Season Awards in Glasgow.

Derek McInnes was hailed Manager of the Year, Saints were lauded as Team of the Year and Liam Craig’s strike against Dunfermline was voted Goal of the Season.

Craig was delighted to walk off with the award for his spectacular 35-yard thunderbolt at East End Park.

But he reckons that the title winners’ most memorable goal was reserved for the championship-winning clash with Morton, when Stevie Milne rounded-off a bewildering, free-flowing move triggered by Craig on the half-way line.

Craig, who spent much of the season at left-back, revealed he was bracing himself for a substitution before finding the net at Dunfermline.

“I was having a nightmare and I thought the gaffer was about to take me off.

“I gave away a cheap corner for their goal and was arguing with Martin Hardie over the free-kick he scored from!

“Kevin Harper gave me a torrid time of it. The boss brought on Steven Anderson and moved me into midfield. I felt sorry for Paul Sheerin, who was the man who made way.

“I just hit the ball and I doubt if I’ve ever struck a shot better. It was extra-special because it took us top of the league and we stayed there through to the end.

“It was a great feeling doing it in front of so many of our fans at that end of the ground.

“And it went some way to making amends for being turned over by the Pars at our place.”

Craig was in no doubt that Saints deserved the top team award and manager McInnes rightly saw off opposition to claim the top boss trophy. It was collected on his behalf by coach Tony Docherty.

But the midfielder confessed he’d have voted for other contenders before his own East End missile.

“My favourite solo goal was Paul Sheerin’s against Dundee from the edge of the box. We see skill like that from Peanut every day in training but to do it in a derby is something special. Gary Irvine also scored a beauty at Dunfermline and you don’t expect that from him.

“But in terms of a team goal they don’t come much better than Savo’s against Morton.”

Perth director Steve Brown accepted the Team of the Year award and he told guests at Glasgow’s Fruitmarket: “It’s a very competitive league with no easy games.

“Looking forward to next season obviously our aim is to stay in the SPL. I’d like to think we are more than capable of doing that.

“We have a fantastic manager. Del is the complete professional and so are the players he has signed.”

The event, hosted by journalist Bill Leckie, celebrated a memorable season of football and also saw Irn-Bru announce the recipients of their £70,000 investment in youth football.

Perth-based David Longmuir, chief executive of the Scottish Football League said: “The End of Season Awards provides the SFL with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that is great with the First, Second and Third Divisions thanks to league sponsors Irn-Bru.

“Over the past season, players have given their all and fans have been right behind them every step of the way.

“This commitment and dedication is what makes the SFL so special and we are already looking forward to an exciting season ahead.”