Match ends, Inverness CT 2, St Johnstone 0.
Inverness CTInverness Caledonian Thistle2St JohnstoneSt Johnstone0
Inverness Caledonian Thistle finished their Premiership campaign with a deserved win over Scottish Cup finalists St Johnstone.
After a poor first half, Inverness had the impetus in the second period and David Raven was denied at the near post by Alan Mannus.
Mannus also made a block from Aaron Doran's shot but Ryan Christie was on hand to head home the rebound.
Greg Tansey's emphatic finish ensured a more comfortable win for Caley.
John Hughes' side finish fifth in the table, four points clear of Saints ahead of the latter's meeting with Dundee United in next Saturday's final at Celtic Park.
With the Caledonian Stadium bathed in beautiful sunshine, both sides struggled to find any momentum before the interval.
Michael O'Halloran did draw a save from Dean Brill after driving at the Inverness defence.
At the other end, Tansey's ambitious effort from 40 yards was comfortably saved.
Whatever Hughes said to his players at the break, it seemed to bring a response and, after O'Halloran had tested Brill again, Raven stuck out a foot to divert James Vincent's low cross towards goal only for Mannus to touch wide.
And, moments later, Doran stung the palms of the Saints keeper and Christie arrived to apply the finish.
The Highlanders were not prepared to sit on their lead and top scorer Billy McKay tried desperately to connect with a lovely through ball by Christie before Mannus intervened.
The ball ran loose for Doran and his low shot towards the empty net was hacked clear by the alert Brian Easton.
McKay had picked up an injury in the attack and was soon replaced by Danny Williams.
Another substitute, Marley Watkins, was just a little too high with a powerful effort after darting towards the edge of the box.
St Johnstone struggled to make in-roads, despite top marksman Stevie May's introduction from the bench and Inverness soon rounded off their win.
The impressive Tansey capitalised on a loose ball at the edge of the box by side-stepping Chris Millar and smacking the ball high past the helpless Mannus.
Line-ups
Inverness CT
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 12Brill
- 2Raven
- 18Tremarco
- 16Tansey
- 8Draper
- 14Devine
- 10Doran
- 4VincentSubstituted forWatkinsat 68'minutes
- 7MckaySubstituted forWilliamsat 72'minutes
- 36ChristieSubstituted forRossat 82'minutes
- 3ShinnieBooked at 67mins
Substitutes
- 1Esson
- 11Ross
- 15Watkins
- 19Williams
- 20Polworth
- 34Brown
- 37Sutherland
St Johnstone
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Mannus
- 19Miller
- 24Easton
- 7Millar
- 2Mackay
- 6Anderson
- 10WotherspoonSubstituted forCroftat 60'minutes
- 12DunneBooked at 43mins
- 9MacLeanSubstituted forMayat 74'minutes
- 11HasselbainkSubstituted forIwelumoat 65'minutes
- 29O'Halloran
Substitutes
- 8McDonald
- 15Banks
- 17May
- 20Brown
- 22Croft
- 23Clancy
- 25Iwelumo
- Referee:
- Alan Muir
- Attendance:
- 3,121
Match Stats
Home TeamInverness CTAway TeamSt Johnstone
- Possession
- Home63%
- Away37%
- Shots
- Home6
- Away3
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away3
- Corners
- Home3
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Inverness CT 2, St Johnstone 0.
Goal!
Goal! Inverness CT 2, St Johnstone 0. Greg Tansey (Inverness CT) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Aaron Doran.
Post update
Ross Draper (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Chris Iwelumo (St Johnstone).
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Nick Ross replaces Ryan Christie.
Post update
Attempt saved. Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Corner, Inverness CT. Conceded by Alan Mannus.
Post update
Foul by Aaron Doran (Inverness CT).
Post update
Brian Easton (St Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Marley Watkins (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by James Dunne (St Johnstone).
Substitution
Substitution, St Johnstone. Steve May replaces Steven MacLean.
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Danny Williams replaces Billy McKay.
Substitution
Substitution, Inverness CT. Marley Watkins replaces James Vincent.
Booking
Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Graeme Shinnie (Inverness CT).
Post update
James Dunne (St Johnstone) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, St Johnstone. Chris Iwelumo replaces Nigel Hasselbaink.
Post update
Billy McKay (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
