A much-changed St Johnstone workforce ended their league marketing campaign with defeat towards Hibernian.
Perth boss Callum Davidson clearly had one eye on Friday evening’s Premiership play-off opener up in Inverness.
However he would nonetheless be upset to observe his aspect concede 4, with out response, at Easter Highway on Sunday.
Paul McGinn opened the scoring in direction of the tip of the primary half earlier than James Scott netted a hat-trick after the break.
For Saints, they began comparatively properly and popped the ball round properly however drifted away as the sport progressed.
Elliott Parish began between the posts - Zander Clark was rested - whereas huge Irish centre-half John Mahon was handed a primary begin for the membership.
He was tasked with patrolling the backline alongside Dan Cleary and Jamie McCart, the latter captaining the aspect. Within the wing-back roles have been Shaun Rooney (proper) and Tom Sang (left).
There was a uncommon go from the primary whistle for Charlie Gilmour in the midst of the park, teaming-up with Jacob Butterfield and Cammy MacPherson.
And within the ahead division, Nadir Ciftci and Glenn Middleton got the nod. Sadly, Canadian striker Theo Bair missed out with harm.
Middleton had the very best likelihood of the early levels when, on 16 minutes, Ciftci slipped the ball into his path in direction of the sting of the field. A fast contact and highly effective hit adopted, however goalkeeper Matt Macey palmed away.
Quickly a fast nook routine introduced MacPherson with a sight of aim from a promising place. His strike was turned behind by a house defender.
Hibs did threaten because the half hour mark approached due to a terrific left-footed cross from Joe Newell. Creeping in on the again submit was Josh Doig however he may solely divert large of Parish’s submit.
Because the half-time whistle approached, abruptly a Perth break and Rooney was driving deep into opposition territory with solely Lewis Stevenson to surge past. Stevenson, remoted, defended very properly to kill the assault.
That appeared to be that for the break however on 44 minutes Hibs seized the higher hand when McGinn turned dwelling from shut vary following a nook. It fell below the ‘scrappy’ class.
And so did the second, which arrived within the forty eighth minute. This time a McGinn cross was nudged over the road by Scott, though the striker didn’t seem to know an excessive amount of about it.
Middleton tried to reply with a long-range free-kick however his effort was all the time drifting the incorrect aspect of the crossbar.
Michael O’Halloran entered the motion earlier than the hour mark, changing Mahon, which noticed Rooney tuck right into a extra central defensive position.
However Perth defenders may solely watch within the 61st minute when Newell’s cross was completed by Scott for his second of the afternoon and Hibs’ third.
Extra Saints subs would comply with with Rooney and Butterfield departing for Liam Gordon and Liam Craig.
There was a late fourth for the hosts. Scott accomplished his hat-trick with a looping header that appeared to enter the web in gradual movement.
All eyes now flip to the Highlands on Friday evening.