Brad McKay has admitted his goal for St Johnstone against Hearts in the Betfred Cup was extra special for him in more ways than one.
The defender came on as a half-time sub for Tam Scobbie at McDiarmid on Tuesday night and more than played his part as Saints came back from a 2-1 deficit with the 23-year-old netting what proved to be the winner with a powerful header in the 80th minute.
It was fitting that he scored against his former club having endured a nightmare start to his St Johnstone career at Tynecastle last August when he slipped to gift the Jambos a goal in the 4-3 defeat and then was subsequently censured for comments made after the game about opposition striker Juanma.
McKay only played one more game for Tommy Wright’s side on August 11 against Ross County before being sent out on loan until the end of the season to Dunfermline.
However, he certainly seized his chance against Hearts with the player also revealing the reasons behind his goal celebrations that saw his arms outstretched to the heavens.
He said: “I actually got a few of my pals tickets for the game.
“Normally if I’m not playing, I text my pals but I had a strange feeling about it so I got five of them tickets.
“None of them were St Johnstone fans unfortunately but they were sitting in the Saints end and they did celebrate which was nice.
“Obviously, my return to Tynecastle last season wasn’t how I planned it with my slip, of course.
“So this is a bit sweeter for me this time round. I spoke about it coming up in the car, what I would do if I celebrated.
“It has been quite a tough month or two for me. There have been folk whose birthdays have passed who are no longer with us any more so that’s why my celebration was pointing up the way.
“My family and friends know all about it so hopefully I can get a picture of that for them.”
McKay also revealed that his goal came partly because of extra hard work he has been putting in on the training ground under assistant boss Callum Davidson and Under-20 coach Alec Cleland.
He added: “I feel a lot better now and I am settled this season.
“I don’t know what it is but it is a different feeling now.
“I feel really good and I have said to a lot of people that I am just waiting patiently for the opportunity.
“I have been working really, really hard in training. Funnily enough, I have been working tirelessly after training on attacking corners.
“Callum Davidson and Alec Cleland have helped me a lot keeping me fit and ready for when an opportunity arises.
“I had to take it and I feel I have.”
Meanwhile, Saints midfielder Craig Thomson has joined Stranraer on loan until January.
