Benjamin Kimpioka’s first-half double helped St Johnstone to their first home league win of 2024 as they defeated nine-man Ross County 3-0 at McDiarmid Park.
With new manager Simo Valakari watching from the stand after a work permit delay, the Saints took an early lead as Adama Sidibeh crossed for his strike partner Kimpioka to tap home.
County were reduced to 10 men when Elijah Campbell saw red for two bookings and Kimpioka punished them with another back post finish just before the break.
Nicky Clark had a goal ruled out by VAR before County substitute Charlie Telfer was given a straight red on a miserable afternoon for the Staggies.
Makenzie Kirk added insult to injury in stoppage-time by bundling home a third after a jinking run from Graham Carey, as the Saints secured a much-needed William Hill Premiership win.
Both sides had made two changes from their previous matches, with Ross County bringing in Eamonn Brophy and Scott Allardice for Noah Chilvers and Aidan Denholm, while St Johnstone brought in Jason Holt and Sidibeh for Aaron Essel and Kirk.
The hosts had the first chance of the game in the 13th minute when Andre Raymond crossed for Clark, who was totally free in the six-yard box but could only glance wide.
Saints only had to wait three minutes for their next chance, however, and Kimpioka made no mistake as he latched onto Sidibeh’s low centre and slotted home at the back post. The visiting players appealed for a foul against Clark in
the build-up but, despite a lengthy VAR check, the goal was given.
It got worse for County just after the half-hour mark as left wing-back Campbell, already on a booking, lunged in clumsily on Drey Wright to receive a second yellow card.
The hosts would make their numerical advantage count just before the break as Kimpioka – who had also missed a glorious chance moments earlier – got his second of the game. Once again he was unmarked at the far post to get on the end of a cross from Matt Smith, with Ross Laidlaw getting a hand to the strike but failing to keep it out.
Staggies boss Don Cowie made three changes at half-time, introducing Denholm, Josh Reid and James Brown as the away side looked to get back into the game.
The hosts nearly extended their advantage just before the hour mark as goalkeeper Laidlaw made a mess of Sidibeh’s low strike before the forward lashed his second attempt over the bar.
St Johnstone did have the ball in the net for a third time in the 68th minute as Clark tapped in from three yards out, although his joy was short-lived as VAR ruled the goal out for offside.
The visitors’ miserable afternoon was compounded in the 78th minute as substitute Telfer, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, was dismissed after catching Sven Sprangler with his studs.
The hosts added gloss to the scoreline with the last kick of the game, as Carey got to the byline and teed up Kirk, as the home side recorded their first home league win since a 1-0 victory over Hibernian on December 16.
What the managers said…
Interim St Johnstone boss Andy Kirk: “I think everyone needed that. We spoke in the week that everyone at
the club needed a lift – the players, the fans and the staff – so it was nice that we got it at home. It’s a big lift for everybody.
“The pleasing thing over the past few weeks has been the effort the players have put in in training.
“They’ve totally bought into what we’ve been trying to do and that comes from them committing to it and putting the effort in on the pitch.
“From the conversations I’ve had with the manager (Simo Valakari), there’s things we still need to work on and improve and some certain different aspects for the players to take on board – but the players need to impress the manager.
“I’m seeing a lot of players working hard and running and that’s what they’re doing to try and impress him, so that’s a good thing because they want to be in the team and that shows the hunger of the players.”
Ross County boss Don Cowie, meanwhile, admitted he had no complaints with the two red cardsvas he reflected on a difficult afternoon for Ross County, who slipped to ninthvin the table.
Cowie said: “I’ve not seen them back but in game speed, I think Eli (Campbell) has made two tackles and got two bookings. They’ve obviously deemed them strong enough for yellow cards, so slightly harsh, maybe.
“With Charlie (Telfer), it’s just a reaction. The ball drops and he’s eager having come onto the pitch to make an impact and win the ball.
“He’s not a malicious player. He’s caught the opposition player with a dangerous tackle and that’s why VAR is there.
“They’ve deemed it a red card was the right decision. I’ve got no real complaints on either.”
