Kilmarnock 2-0 St Johnstone
- Published
Highlights: Kilmarnock 2-0 St Johnstone
St Johnstone lacked bravery and "failed to pass the ball 10 yards at times" as they lost their Scottish Premiership opener at Kilmarnock, says manager Tommy Wright.
Second-half goals from Scott Boyd and Mikael Ndjoli settled the match as the home side dominated. Wright's men were wayward and toothless in attack.
The Perth side managed just three shots in the 2-0 defeat at Rugby Park.
"There's massive room for improvement," the Saints boss told BBC Scotland.
"They're extremely disappointed, which they should be. When we had the ball, we did nowhere near enough. We've shown we're much better than that.
"People didn't want the ball and failed to pass the ball 10 yards at times. They dominated us, we didn't do enough and we got what we deserved."
Jones makes difference for Kilmarnock
Despite losing their game-breaker, Youssouf Mulumbu, over the summer, Kilmarnock remain a potent blend of industry and precision.
Gary Dicker and Alan Power patrol the midfield, snaffling possession and feeding the more offensive players outside and ahead of them.
One of those, Jordan Jones, scarcely had a kick before the break, but emerged for the second period a snarling, determined menace up the left flank.
The Northern Irishman's pace and close control bamboozled the visiting defence. He bent one shot wide, had another saved by Zander Clark, and was repeatedly fouled by flailing defenders.
And it was his speed and vigour that powered Kilmarnock towards their second-half goals.
Their breakthrough came when Clark fumbled a tame Lee Erwin shot into the path of Boyd, who gleefully prodded the ball into the empty net.
Jones thundered a glorious curling strike off the crossbar, before Kilmarnock confirmed their victory five minutes from time, Ndjoli striding forth unchallenged and hammering in a vicious right-foot shot from outside the area.
Jordan Jones was one of Kilmarnock's most impressive performers
What about Watt?
Tony Watt's return to Scottish football and pursuit of a settled and successful environment after so many barren seasons is one of the most intriguing aspects of the Premiership campaign ahead.
The former Celtic and Hearts striker looks dynamic, muscular and hungry to grasp this potentially pivotal opportunity.
He held the ball up well, using his physique, and was an ever-willing runner, but too often cut an isolated figure as Saints' lone striker.
'They make it really difficult for us' - reaction
Kilmarnock manager Steve Clarke: "St Johnstone made it really difficult for us. We found it difficult to get through them, but we kept probing.
"With Jordan, there wasn't a lot of space in the first half because St Johnstone did their job. In the second half, he found space, got inside and looked threatening."
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright: "Jason Kerr went in to centre-midfield and did better than what we'd been doing in there. He gave us a bit of composure, at least he tried to pass the ball.
"It's a disappointing day, but it's the first game of the season and we know there's a lot of work to be done."