If there is such a thing as a statement victory, St Johnstone’s opening-day triumph over Partick Thistle came in capital letters, underlined and with an exclamation mark.
Not only did the Perth side thump their fellow promotion hopefuls 5-1 at McDiarmid Park, they did so with style, confidence and a ruthlessness that bodes ill for future opponents.
After falling behind to an early goal by Paddy Reading, Simo Valakari’s team roared back with Jamie Gullan’s equaliser, Josh McPake’s hat-trick and a stunning free kick by Stevie Mallan.
It was a dream start to the Championship season for Valakari, who has used relegation to rebuild his side, reset the club and start again with the flamboyant football that was too easily punished in the Premiership.
It is only one game, but if this is any guide, Saints will set the early pace. Thistle, remember, topped their Premier Sports Cup group and headed into the league campaign with a spring in their step.
After years of grinding out points in a grim battle for Premiership survival, Valakari’s team have scored 20 goals in five games, one of which was an 8-0 thrashing of Elgin City in the Premier Sports Cup.
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has rebuilt his team for the Championship title race
Ross County manager Don Cowie watched his team squander a two-goal lead on Saturday
Most of their summer signings have hit the ground running, especially Gullan, midfielder Reece McAlear and defender Cheick Diabate, while McPake is a winger reborn, full of tricks and confidence.
All of which free-scoring entertainment is a breath of fresh air to the Perth public, who might just be wondering if relegation was such a bad thing. The dawn of their new era was watched by a crowd of nearly 5,000.
There is a long, long way to go, of course. Not everyone will be as naive and open as Thistle were. And Valakari must prove that he can win in different ways, even on the fabled cold, wet, windy night in Greenock. Nor should it be forgotten that rivals have four more weeks to strengthen in the transfer window.
Still, Saints could go five points clear of title favourites Ross County if they win in Dingwall on Friday night. That they are already two clear at the top is due to an opening weekend on which each of the other four games ended in a draw.
Following Arbroath’s late equaliser against Ayr on Friday, County squandered a two-goal lead at Airdrie, Raith needed a late penalty to salvage a point against Queen’s Park and Dunfermline were profligate in a stalemate with Morton.
