Wright pleased with workmanlike win

02 August 2013 09:02

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright admitted his side's Europa League win in Belarus would not have won points for beauty.

The Perth side followed up their remarkable success over Rosenborg by beating FC Minsk 1-0 in Grodno in the first leg of the third qualifying round tie.

Steven MacLean's 68th-minute strike means Saints will now return to McDiarmid for next week's second leg with a precious away goal.

But Wright accepted his side had been forced to graft in order to secure the victory.

He told BBC Radio Scotland: "I don't think we reached the highs that we did in beating Rosenborg in terms of performance. We were workmanlike.

"It was quite warm out there and very sticky and a few of [the boys] looked a bit heavy-legged.

"But they only really caused us problems on the counter-attack. They were not breaking us down.

"It wasn't pretty, because they are not a pretty side to play against but we got the result we deserved.

"We knew they were not technically better than Rosenborg but had pace up front.

"However, I will repeat myself - it is only half-time and we will not take anything for granted."

Source: PA