Wright hails goalscorer Kane

Kane slipped the ball under Scott Brown in the 70th minute after running on to fellow substitute James McFadden's through ball to earn Saints a 1-0 win.

With Dundee United winning comfortably, St Johnstone needed the goal and the 20-year-old chose the perfect moment to net his first for the club.

Wright said: "We just told him to play as high up the pitch as possible and hopefully he would get a chance, but to get it so quickly...

"He has done well but he hasn't scored a goal and it's a big finish for him because he has got a wee bit of time to think about it. It was a great first touch and I'm really pleased for him. It's a big goal for us.

"It was difficult because we knew what was happening down at Tannadice and knew we had to win the game. But we knew if we kept it 0-0 long enough and got Faddy on, and Brian Graham and Kano, we could sneak something. All three have done well as did the 11 that started the game.

"It showed good mental strength knowing we had to win the game."

Saints will achieve a fourth consecutive Europa League qualification if Inverness beat Falkirk in the William Hill Scottish Cup final on Saturday.

"It's a remarkable achievement finishing fourth," Wright said. "The icing on the cake would be Europe.

"People thought we would struggle losing (Stevie) May but we haven't. We found a way to win games. I think that's our best points tally and we are unbeaten in the split."

Aberdeen had hoped to give Russell Anderson a winning send-off and they had the better chances but the retiring 36-year-old still got a fitting farewell, with both sets of fans applauding him and his two sons on to the pitch through a guard of honour from both teams.

"I didn't expect that before the game, I really didn't," Anderson said.

"The manager gave me a heads-up a couple of minutes before we went out. I wasn't expecting my son to be there either because he said he wasn't going to do it. That was a lovely touch.

"That actually got me more than the bit after the game. I got a lovely reception from the supporters, which I really appreciate."

Outgoing goalkeeping coach Jim Leighton declined the chance to say his goodbyes after being told his third spell at the club was ending.

Manager Derek McInnes said: "Jim served the club so well over a period of time. Some decisions are harder than others as a manager and that was particularly tough.

"But any decision I make on anybody's future is always based on what is best for the club. I told Jim a couple of days ago to give him the opportunity to have a farewell to supporters knowing it was his last game, but Jim refused that, which we fully respect.

"We wish Jim well and I have a lot of respect for Jim but the decision was totally football. People move on and changes have to be made at times."