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In a historic season for Scottish football who thought they would have its own Leicester story as 10,000 to one shots St Johnstone would walk away with a cup double in the clubs greatest ever season under debut manager Callum Davidson.
These are five highlights of St Johnstone’s momentous achievement:
Peterhead 1-3 St Johnstone 14/11/2020
The foot of the mountain for St Johnstone’s historic climb to the top as this win took the saints to the top of Group C in the Betfred Cup. This meant they captured entry to the last 16 round of the competition. It was a Stevie May double from the spot followed by a left footed effort from substitute Chris Kane to ensure the Perth sides progression as a late own goal from eventual cup hero Shaun Rooney would be a mere consolation for Peterhead.
Dunfermline 1-1 St Johnstone 3-4 after penalties 15/12/2020
An escape for the Saints as Dunfermline took them all the way in this quarter final tie. An overall dominant display seen the saints fail to take their chances within 90 minutes. However it was a Greg Tanser cross that would find Rooney who took one touch before hammering into the far corner. Iain Wilson would subsequently capitalise on a long throw to take the game to penalties. The shoot-out was won by a Liam Craig penalty who slotted his effort away sending St Johnstone to the semis.
Livingston 0-1 St Johnstone 28/02/2021
By no means a classic cup final as both sides looked to add a major piece of silverware to their trophy cabinets. A 32nd minute Shaun Rooney header would be the decisive moment of the match. St Johnstone were the dominant team in a scrappy cup final and deserved winners in the end as Callum Davidson’s side lifted the trophy aloft in front of an empty Hampden and ended Celtic’s 5 year dominance of the competition.
Rangers 1-1 St Johnstone 4-2 after penalties 25/04/2021
The hero of the day Zander Clarke reels away in celebration (credit-Instagram- @stjohnstoneofficial)
Undoubtedly the stunning upset in the Saints run to the double as they turned over unbeaten premiership champions Rangers. St Johnstone took inspiration from their midweek draw with the Gers as they made an inspired start to the quarter final however the first goal would elude both sides for the first 90 minutes. 117 minutes deep into extra time James Tavernier found himself free in the box to nod in a Joe Aribo cross and that was that Rangers were through. But with seconds remaining Saints keeper made his way forward for a corner and it would be the stopper that would rise highest and nod the ball into the path of Chris Kane to take the game to penalties. In the shoot out The saints beautifully netted all four of their penalties as they eventually beat Rangers 4-2 from the spot.
St Johnstone 1-0 Hibernian 22/05/2021
The Saints arrived at Hampden on Saturday 90 minutes away from the greatest achievement in the club’s history. Once again it was the cup hero Shaun Rooney that would separate the sides as the wing back would head home the only goal in the game in the 32nd minute. After weathering a strong start to the second half from Hibernian St Johnstone won a penalty which would force a great save from Matt Macey who would also keep a rebound from Chris Kane out of the net. As the final whistle blew the dream was realised and St Johnstone were Scottish cup double winners. The scorer in both cup finals Shaun Rooney and manager Callum Davidson launched themselves to legend status in Perth as they held the trophy aloft in an empty Hampden for the second time in just three months.
by Kieran Warren
