Melker Hallberg's composure, close control and eye for a pass in seamless debut

St Johnstone may just have found the missing piece of the Perth midfield puzzle.

Melker Hallberg is not long in the door but his arrival has already helped to paint a rosier picture in the fight for Premiership safety.

The central midfielder joined from Hibs last month with a good reputation but a player perhaps yet to fulfil his utmost potential.

Minutes into Tuesday night’s crunch fixture at the Tony Macaroni Arena, this guy was plating up a performance of real quality.

You can quickly tell when someone possesses natural ability and that very much appeared to be the case with Hallberg.

His transition into the red and white away strip of Saints was seamless, his cushioned close control most welcome and range of passing pleasing on the eye.

The slick Swede, wearing the number 29 jersey, showed the latter off in full when he zipped a cross-field pass into the path of wing-back Callum Booth to set the move rolling for a very well-worked opening Callum Hendry goal.

Hallberg did not only show the kind of attributes required when in possession, without the ball he showed energy, determination and was not scared to give his team-mates a piece of his mind when a pass failed to arrive at his feet quick enough.

Understandably, having not played many minutes at Easter Road in recent times, he did tire and was replaced in the 71st minute to the warm applause of the Perth support. On came experienced operator Murray Davidson.

Having that kind of player to bring off the bench would be most welcome for manager Callum Davidson who, backed by chairman Steve Brown in January, now has options at his disposal and fierce competition for places.

Another debut had been ticked off the list in the 61st minute when centre-back John Mahon,