Jumping off his sofa as James Brown’s wonder strike hit the net against Rangers was too much exertion for “sick as a dog” St Johnstone captain, Liam Gordon.
And knee-sliding his way into the middle of the Nicky Clark equaliser penalty box celebrations on Wednesday night nearly came at a cost as well.
The Perth captain missed out on the historic win over the Ibrox side at the weekend, when illness had floored him.
But there was no holding back deep in to injury time against St Mirren after 10-man Saints climbed off the canvas to snatch a precious Paisley point.
“As soon as it hit the back of the net I saw the sea of purple running towards the away end to celebrate,” said the skipper.
“I almost went through the advertising boards!
“I started sliding in the penalty box and then thought: ‘I’m not stopping anytime soon!’
“I had to put the brakes on.
“That is what you play football for – moments like that.”
As late equalisers go, this is up there with the very best 😍@nickyclark91, take a bow! 👏#cinchPrem | @StJohnstone pic.twitter.com/JcOm0S4XSt
— SPFL (@spfl) November 10, 2022
Gordon added: “The boys dug in after a wonder strike from them. You might not see a sweeter strike all season. Well, apart from James Brown’s last weekend against Rangers!
“I watched that one from the sofa.
“I had a dark few days with an illness. I was sick as a dog.
“When James’ strike hit the back of the net, I jumped off the sofa so fast that I instantly felt sick again!
“It certainly lifted my spirits though.”
Gordon was brought off the bench in the wake of Alex Mitchell’s red card in midweek.
He had to show a rapid switch of mindset.
“I’d been in the changing room getting myself some wine gums and was quite enjoying the game,” he said.
“I hadn’t been out for a warm-up and then saw the red card. I quickly did some runs up and down the touchline.”
Like another win
Saints had won their previous three matches but the draw with St Mirren didn’t feel any different to a victory.
“It is a massive point for us and shows the character we’ve got in the squad,” said Gordon.
“It was difficult to even see the ball at times because of the conditions. Ali (Crawford) puts a great cross into the box for the goal.
“I was watching big Theo (Bair) thinking he was getting there but it’s gone over his head.
“Then Nicky produces an incredible finish, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
“The whole squad is buzzing.
“We’ve got a massive game coming up on Saturday against Motherwell when we can hopefully keep the momentum going into the break.
“We’re looking for three points to give ourselves a good platform for the rest of the season.
“In past squads I’ve been involved in, there’s been your nucleus and your fringe young boys coming in.
“But we have established first team players all wanting to play football. That competitiveness is getting the best out of everyone.
“We all work on things together in training and want to better each other. There are great personalities in the squad.”
Conversation