Steven MacLean, the interim manager of St. Johnstone, lauded the team's attitude after the Perth team defeated Dundee United at McDiarmid Park to go closer to securing Premiership survival.
After a mistake by Stevie May, captain Liam Gordon steered in the game-winning goal from close range before Charlie Mulgrew was dismissed for United for bringing down Melker Hallberg.
Steven Fletcher's last-second goal-frame shot for the visitors prevented St Johnstone from winning for the first time since they defeated the same opposition in February. Additionally, it was their first victory at McDiarmid Park since their early November victory over Rangers.
MacLean feels his team has stopped the slide after earning four points from his two games in charge.
I'm proud, he declared. Happy for the players as well as the fans. I believe it was merited. I believed we performed nicely.At the end, we had to defend, which is what you have to do because they are also battling for their life.It was always going to be difficult for us to defend, but they threw caution to the wind and shoved bodies in front of (Ryan) Edwards.
We could have scored more, if I had to find something to complain about. We fired 17 times. In the last two games, there were 14 shots and 17 shots, which is fantastic but we want to keep improving.I'm thrilled. Although it's only one game, the players have responded nicely and I've gotten a response from them.
"We're coming in tomorrow, and we're going to prepare for Motherwell, and we're going to do everything right."
In addition, MacLean stated that he has not spoken with chairman Steve Brown about his long-term plans, insisting that his attention is entirely on Saints' battle against the drop.
There has been nothing, he continued. I'm hoping he'll approve of me for succeeding. I'll definitely talk to him. He and I chatted on Thursday.He was nice and asked how I was doing, and I appreciate him giving me the chance. I'm hoping he gets some rest tonight.
While lamenting Fletcher's late error, Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin applauded his team for maintaining the lead.
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