Young St Johnstone star Ali McCann has scored four crucial goals in his breakthrough season, but the first of them will always be the most special.
The Northern Ireland under-21 international secured Saints a 1-0 victory at Hamilton on Boxing Day with 10 minutes left in the contest.
The three points put clear blue water between the Perth side and their opponents and bottom side Hearts, a gap that has never closed since.
Strikes against Kilmarnock, Hearts and Aberdeen have followed for McCann. However none of those finishes were able to top the elation felt after the late winner in Lanarkshire.
Asked which has been his favourite goal of his first full season as a Saints player, the 20-year-old answered: “There have been a few for me but I’d say scoring the winner away at Hamilton late on.
“It was a big game and of course it was my first goal for the club so I’d pick that one above the rest.
“It’s always enjoyable when you’re getting forward and chipping in with goals.”
Meanwhile, the box-to-box midfielder believes his loan spell in League Two with Stranraer at the end of last season played an important part in helping him make his mark in the Saints first team when manager Tommy Wright gave him his chance.
“Definitely,” he said. “The competitiveness and regular game time was massive for me. I came back a better player in the summer and I owe Stranraer a lot for the opportunity.”
