Kilmarnock 1 - 2 St Johnstone: McInnes fears predators may be lurking for his strike duo

DEREK McInnes admits that he is wary of increasing interest in his in-form strike partnership, as Cillian Sheridan and Francisco Sandaza continue to set the Clydesdale Bank Premier League alight.

St Johnstone’s very own “SAS” helped to put Kilmarnock to the sword with a goal either side of the break in a 2-1 win, ending the Ayrshire side’s unbeaten record at home this campaign despite a Steven Anderson own goal initially levelling matters.

“My worry is everyone will talk – and everybody comes looking at them. That’s a real concern,” said McInnes.

“But as long as we’ve got Fran and Cillian we’ll enjoy working with them. I said at the time that I felt we were fortunate to get both players within our budget and both players are showing their quality.

“They’ll get a lot of headlines – and that’s right, because they’re making the difference – but it was a team effort.”

To open the scoring, Sandaza was fed through by a super David Robertson pass and showed typical composure to slide the ball past Cammy Bell.

“I take the blame for the first goal. I thought I could get the ball in front of Sandaza, but it was too quick for me,” Killie captain Manuel Pascali said.

Pascali was also involved in the equaliser as he challenged with Steven Anderson for a deep Dean Shiels delivery. Anderson’s touch appeared to prove decisive in causing the ball to loop agonisingly over the helpless Peter Enckelman. Kilmarnock will look back on a plethora of missed chances, which proved costly as the Irish half of Saints’ deadly duo struck. Sandaza capitalised on a poor touch from Mohamadou Sissoko to play Sheridan through on goal, and 22-year-old rounded Bell to slot home his fourth goal in three games.

“He’s a modern striker. He possesses presence, he’s a good finisher, he’s got pace to burn and when he’s on his game he’s a confident big boy,” McInnes said of his match-winner. “He’s had an unhappy time in Sofia in terms of playing games and it’s important, if you’ve had that, to make sure your next move is a good one. Hopefully he’s found that with us.”