St. Johnstone vs Hibernian. Scottish Premiership.
McDiarmid ParkAttendance6,787.
Report and highlights as Saints and Hibs play out a 1-1 draw in the Scottish Premiership; Stevie May opened the scoring for the hosts; Lewis Stevenson levelled with his first goal in almost five years for Hibs; James Jeggo saw red at start of second half as visitors sealed top-six spot
Saturday 22 April 2023 20:46, UK
Lewis Stevenson scored his first goal in almost five years as 10-man Hibernian booked their place in the top six of the Scottish Premiership despite being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling St Johnstone.
The 35-year-old left-back netted for the first time since July 2018 to cancel out Stevie May's acrobatic opener for a Saints side under the charge of caretaker boss Stevie MacLean for the first time following Callum Davidson's sacking.
Hibs' hopes of going on to win the game were dented by a contentious red card at the start of the second half for midfielder James Jeggo. But the fact seventh-placed Livingston lost at Dundee United meant Lee Johnson's side - who came under pressure in the closing stages - did not ultimately need a victory to seal their place in the top six.
MacLean made two changes to the Saints team that started the 2-0 defeat to Livingston last weekend as Melker Hallberg and Jamie Murphy dropped out to be replaced by Andy Considine and David Wotherspoon.
Hibs boss Johnson selected the same XI that started the 1-0 Edinburgh derby win over Hearts the previous weekend.
The hosts had the first notable attempt in the 12th minute when former Hibs player Drey Wright tested goalkeeper David Marshall with a firm low shot from 20 yards out.
A minute later, at the other end, Elie Youan burst down the left, cut inside and shot wide from the edge of the box.
Saints went ahead in the 25th minute when May's well-struck overhead kick from just outside the six-yard box squirmed in past Marshall at the goalkeeper's left-hand post after Hibs failed to properly clear a Wotherspoon corner.
Hibs threatened an equaliser four minutes later but Kevin Nisbet saw his acrobatic volley easily held by Remi Matthews after Stevenson's cross spun up to him eight yards out.
The leveller came in the 32nd minute when Stevenson took a touch and fired home his first league goal in just over five years from edge of the box after being set up by Youan.
Saints almost restored their lead two minutes into the second half when Wright burst clear down the right and fired in an angled shot that squirmed beyond the grasp of Marshall, but Stevenson was well placed to boot the loose ball clear with May waiting to pounce.
Hibs suffered a blow in the 48th minute when midfielder Jeggo was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Connor McLennan on the halfway line. Referee Craig Napier's decision was upheld following a VAR review but the visitors appeared incensed as the Australian headed for the tunnel.
Despite being a man down, the visitors generally continued to hold their own although they were indebted to Marshall for keeping them level in the 65th minute when the goalkeeper dived down to his left to keep out a close-range shot from substitute Melker Hallberg following a McLennan cross from the left.
Saints had the majority of the pressure in the closing stages, with Hallberg and May both going close to a winner, but the Perth men had to settle for a draw that leaves them just two points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
Hibernian manager Lee Johnson launched a blistering attack on referee Craig Napier and his fellow officials after being left flabbergasted by what he felt was a "horrendous decision" to send off Jeggo.
Most of Johnson's lengthy post-match media briefing revolved around what he branded the worst officiating he has ever witnessed after the red card shown to Australia midfielder Jeggo early in the second half for a challenge on Saints' McLennan on the halfway line.
Johnson admits he does not "trust" the Scottish Football Association's disciplinary system to overturn the decision.
"The red card was a horrendous decision," he said. "Jeggo gets a clear first contact on the ball, a good 0.5 seconds before [connecting with McLennan], and then his momentum carries him on.
"He doesn't know if there's someone there, he's just stretching to compete.
"The St Johnstone player steams in, and both compete for the ball but the St Johnstone player gets nowhere near the ball and Jimmy wins it clearly.
"And did you see how quickly the referee whipped out the red card? And then to not go to the screen… honestly, it's broken if that's a sending-off.
"Seriously, it was like the show was all about the officials on too many occasions. It beggars belief.
"That's as bad [officiating] as I've seen. I've probably played 1000 games as a player, including youth, 500-odd games as a manager, and that's the worst I've seen. Unreal."
St Johnstone interim boss Steven MacLean - taking charge for the first time since Callum Davidson's sacking last weekend - said: "There was only one team trying to win the game in the end, they were sitting in happy with the point.
"They made it difficult with 10 men but I thought we were excellent.
"We're disappointed not to win the three points."
The Scottish Premiership now splits into the top and bottom six with the fixtures yet to be announced.
The first games will be the weekend of 6/7 May.
