Why St Johnstone’s Premiership survival tops 2021 cup double success

Three years ago this week, St Johnstone won a domestic cup double, which has to be considered one of the greatest underdog achievements in Scottish football.

So you’d think. However, Saints stalwart Liam Gordon believes avoiding the dreaded relegation play-off berth on the last day of the Premiership season may outweigh that victory.

The Perth-based team began the 2023/24 season with a severely depleted squad, consisting primarily of under-18 players. Then, in October, Steven McLean was fired as manager of McDiarmid Park, putting the team five points below at the bottom of the table.

Alarm bells were blaring, but it was St Johnstone’s never-say-die spirit in scoring key goals when they needed it that allowed them edge Ross County to safety on goal difference after a thrilling Sunday.

Gordon, 28, has been with St Johnstone for nearly a decade and was quick to praise his colleagues for digging in and securing their top-flight status.

He stated, “This season has been difficult, and the last several years have been tough. I would say that staying up this season has been my proudest achievement as a St Johnstone player.

“Our previous success, being in the top six and winning cups, has taught us nothing. When success arrives, it’s easy, but when you’re constantly bombarded with challenges, you have to dig deep.

“It was challenging, but sharing that moment with the supporters at the end made it worthwhile. It’s been a long, challenging season.

It has been exhausting, and we have had so many obstacles to overcome. “On the first day of preseason, we had 12 players train, half of whom were under-18. We had ten boys out injured during the first few months of the season.

“It was challenging; we got players in late, and our roster was severely reduced for the League Cup games. So things were rough, but respect to the boys for bringing folks back one by one and keeping everyone together. Nobody ever gives up.

“It’s been tough, but one thing we’ve learned is that we never give up. People can say whatever they want about St Johnstone, but one thing remains consistent: we never give up. “It is the club’s culture.”

In another news: English League One side interested in St Johnstone captain Liam Gordon

The Perth center-back is out of contract. Stockport County are interested in St Johnstone’s skipper, Liam Gordon.

The Perth centre-back is one of several players out of contract at McDiarmid Park.

Craig Levein wants to keep the double winner, according to Courier Sport, but Gordon will have plenty of options this summer.

Stockport were promoted to League One this season. It’s the club’s second promotion in three years, and their upcoming season will mark their first in England’s third division in 14 years.

Tommy Wright signed Gordon from Hearts.

He was born and raised in Perth and played an important role in Callum Davidson’s League Cup and Scottish Cup victories in 2021.

After Jason Kerr joined Wigan, Gordon took over as captain. He was one of the standouts in Saints’ last-minute triumph over Motherwell, which guaranteed the club’s 16th season in the top division.