St Johnstone beat Livingston to lift Scottish League Cup for first timeon February 28, 2021 at 3:51 pm

St Johnstone lift the Scottish League Cup for the first time as Adam Rooney’s first-half header is enough to edge out Livingston.

Livingston’s Josh Mullin forced a good save before Rooney headed in off the post from a Craig Conway corner.

St Johnstone took control thereafter against their top-flight rivals.

Rooney, whose Premiership goal at the beginning of February ended Livingston’s 14-game unbeaten run since David Martindale took charge, had proved the difference again as St Johnstone made history.

Martindale’s side have now failed to win in three games since then and, although they sit seven points and three places above St Johnstone in the league, it is the Perth side who add another trophy to the Scottish Cup they also won for the first time in 2014.

The air of unreality surrounding Hampden was not confined to the lack of fans at the national stadium.

For the first time in five years, Celtic would not be taking their first steps towards a domestic clean sweep, leaving the stage clear for two of the Premiership’s less fashionable sides.

Meanwhile, Livingston dispensed with the usual team bus arrival as their squad arrived in a convoy of their own cars to ensure social distancing.

It appeared not to knock the West Lothian side out of their stride as they edged the early proceedings, but Efe Ambrose lashed over from close range then Mullin’s fine strike was tipped round the post by goalkeeper Zander Clark.

Martindale had looked to cancel out the threat of Rooney, who had also starred in the semi-final win over Hibernian, by restoring fit-again Marvin Bartley to the side in an unfamiliar wide left role.

It looked to be working until Rooney won a corner off his marker before holding off Jon Guthrie to meet Conway’s delivery and his powerful header found the net via the fingers of on-loan Rangers goalkeeper Robby McCrorie and the inside of a post.

Davidson had made the surprise tactical decision to drop Guy Melamed to the bench despite the Israeli forward’s two goals last weekend against Motherwell and veteran former Scotland winger Conway further justified his inclusion by setting up another chance after the break.

Ali McCann’s cut-back was flicked towards goal by David Wotherspoon only for McCrorie’s boot to clear off the line.

There were big shouts for a St Johnstone penalty when Bartley challenged Jason Kerr then Ambrose blocked a Jamie McCart header in front of goal as the expected Livingston response failed to materialise.

Deservedly, it was St Johnstone’s cheers that rang round an empty Hampden as Livingston failed to add a second League Cup triumph to their first major trophy success in 2004.

Man of the match – Shaun Rooney

What did we learn?

The lack of fans means there was no opportunity for commentators to wax lyrical about the latent potential of respective fan bases for two of the Premiership’s worst supported clubs.

St Johnstone, though, will hope that, on the park at least, they can build on being the most successful club in Scotland after Celtic in the last decade after adding to that 2014 Scottish Cup win during a run of only two defeats in 12 outings.

Davidson has proven himself a worthy successor to Tommy Wright, while his opposite number faces the prospect of recovering from the first major blow in his maiden job in management.

Martindale will perhaps reflect on his own tactical decisions, but he will be stressing to his players that they have still much to play for this season, with a top-six finish almost secured.

What’s next?

It’s quickly back to Premiership business for the League Cup winners as they visit Hamilton Academical on Wednesday (18:00 GMT), while Livingston must dust themselves down to entertain leaders Rangers.

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