Tommy Wright praises mental strength of match winner O'Halloran
Saints boss says he never wanted the winger to leave
Last updated 5th Aug 2017
St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright was thrilled for Michael O'Halloran after the on-loan Rangers attacker netted a stunning late winner on his second debut for the club.
The 26-year-old returned to Perth on loan last week, having been signed by former Ibrox boss Mark Warburton 18 months ago.
He has not started a game since being sent off for Rangers against Motherwell in January, but made an immediate impact for Wright's men on Saturday, climbing off the bench to fire a stunning solo winner two minutes from time as Saints opened their Ladbrokes Premiership campaign with a 2-1 triumph at Kilmarnock.
Wright was overjoyed with the wide-man's impact as he hailed the mental strength he has shown through his difficult past few months.
“He is a player who, truth be told, we never wanted to leave,” the Northern Irishman said. “But we could not have written a better script for him on his return.
“It was an unbelievable goal. It was incredible the number of players he beat and to then have the composure to finish it off on a difficult surface was great.
“I didn't have to work with him mentally at all - not after he walked straight back in the door and got a big hug.
“Physically is the only concern and that's why he didn't start today.
“We've got three games in a week and what I don't want is Michael breaking down. He's not ready to play 60-70 minutes yet.
“Over the 90 minutes we just about edged it. We scored two great goals so I'm pleased with the result and absolutely delighted for Michael.”
David Wotherspoon fired the Perth outfit ahead after 10 minutes as he punished Killie defender Kirk Broadfoot's decision to back off.
The hosts toiled through the opening hour but found themselves level when Kris Boyd rocketed a stunning 30-yard set-piece past Alan Mannus.
And they looked set for a point until O'Halloran spotted a chink in their armour, driving past four players before angling his strike into the far corner.
Kilmarnock boss Lee McCulloch was pleased with the way his team fought back from their slow start but felt they should have seen out the draw.
“I was happy with the performance but obviously disappointed with the result,” he said.
“The young squad that we've got probably needs to be a wee bit more street-wise. From what I remember of their goals, they were pretty poor goals to lose and we'll learn from it.
“There were enough positives to take out of the game today to say that I know we are going to be all right.