Motherwell got the better of St Johnstone on Saturday to record a third win on the road and a move up the table. Our on loan striker scored his first goal for the club. All in, it was a good weekend.
The 700 fans who made the trip from Lanarkshire had a few contenders for the man of the match award. Most would be content if the plaudit went to Declan Gallagher or Mark Gillespie.
Gallagher has been, by some way, the best of the close season signings. Confident in defence he looks comfortable on the ball and is accurate with distribution form the back. The threat he carries in attack was clear as he towered over his markers at our set pieces. Home supporters were heard grumbling at the number of headers he gained as the Saints’ defence was pressured. His assist for the winning goal was a just reward for a fine day’s work.
The decision to award a penalty for Richard Tait’s collision with Murray Davidson looked soft but it threatened to turn the game. In his post-match remarks Tommy Wright claimed that his side would have won the game had the spot kick found the net. That it did not was because of the good work of Mark Gillespie.
The penalty save was one of several key interventions of our ‘keeper in the match. He was called to make a full stretch stop of a first half free kick and late on he had to block a couple of close range tests. Some raised an eyebrow when we signed him in June 2018 given the excellent form of Trevor Carson but his contribution has been massive. He saved four penalties last season, including two against St Johnstone. Was Scott Tanser aware of the man he was facing as he took the penalty?
Next up is a return to Fir Park for the visit of St Mirren before another international break. We’ll meet that challenge in good heart.