St Johnstone 0-1 Dundee: Dens side edge out Saints

Scottish Cup holders St Johnstone added the Ryder Cup to their trophy cabinet yesterday.

But it was Dundee who looked like the team on the silverware trail in this one-sided Tayside tussle.

Golf’s most sought-after prize was in Perth as part of the first ever Ryder Cup Trophy Tour.

German Martin Kaymer’s putt on the 18th hole at Medinah sealed the win for Europe the last time it was contested, in 2012.

And it was another German, Dundee’s Thomas Konrad, who played the decisive role as Paul Hartley’s side cruised to victory over a below par Saints.

Konrad’s strike, his first in Scottish football, may have been all that separated the sides as far as the score sheet was concerned, but in truth, the Dark Blues were streets ahead in every department, and, as a result, will go into next Sunday’s Dundee derby full of confidence.

Konrad admitted as much post-match and revealed that he has been waiting to face United since his very first moments in the City of Discovery.

He said: “The first day I was in Dundee a taxi driver told me that the game against United is the best game of the season.

“He told me that games against Celtic are big, but United is even bigger.

“The players will play it just like every other game but we are definitely looking forward to it. And maybe if we win this one I will get free taxis in Dundee!”

There was some confusion around Konrad’s strike, with Gary Harkins credited with the goal in the immediate aftermath.

But the German insisted he had delivered the final touch, saying: “It was 100% my goal.

“I didn’t even realise that Jeebsy (Gary Harkins) had touched the ball too, but he admitted straight away that it was my goal.

“I am really happy to score my first goal for Dundee because I’m very, very happy here.

“The league is good. It is very fast and very hard but I like the way we play.

“It hasn’t surprised me how good it has been. The very first day of training I saw the players and realised it was a high level.

“Leaving Germany was an easy decision to make and I’m happy I did.”

Konrad’s happiness was in marked contrast to the mood of the Saints fans, who were rocked before kick-off by news of injuries to key men Steven MacLean and Tam Scobbie.

The former has been talismanic for the Perth side since Stevie May’s departure to Sheffield Wednesday, but will be out of action for at least a month after an operation to tidy up a floating bone fragment in his knee, scheduled for Tuesday.

Scobbie, meanwhile, is in for an even lengthier lay-off after damaging his medial ligament in training last week an injury which could sideline him until the New Year.

And in a game all but dominated by Paul Hartley’s slick-passing side, it looked like the bad news had hit the Saints players just as hard as the fans.

The Dark Blues, backed by an impressive travelling support, were on the front foot from kick-off, and found themselves passing through Saints’ normally stubborn midfield with ease.

By the time Konrad put them ahead on 26 minutes following a post-corner kick stramash, the only surprise was that it took them so long.

They had plenty of chances to increase their lead into the second half as Saints struggled to make an impact going forward, but in the end, one goal was enough to ensure a comfortable victory and set up a tantalising derby clash with Dundee United next weekend.