Tom Sang simply loved playing his part in St Johnstone's win against Hearts

One of the unwritten rules of football is to never fall in love with a loan player.

But if Tom Sang can perform to the same level he did on Saturday for the remainder of the season, St Johnstone fans may have little choice in the matter.

The agile right wing-back, a deadline day arrival on loan from Cardiff City last month, ventured north as somewhat of an unknown quantity.

While given the nod in a disappointing defeat at St Mirren the other week, his latest performance provided more than enough evidence to suggest that here is a player who can be a real asset in Perth colours through until the end of the season.

Only 40 seconds or so were required for the 22-year-old to make his first positive impression on the game in the form of a neat clipped pass down the channel to find Glenn Middleton, who subsequently found Melker Hallberg, who subsequently found Ali Crawford, who subsequently found the back of the net.

“From the start the gaffer said that we needed to put them on the back foot,” Sang explained.

“When it came wide, it was just trying to find the lads down the channel.

“I managed to find Glenn and then there was a bit of really good play, with a really good finish.

“There is ability in this team to do things like that. We need to keep trying to get the best out of ourselves and that is what can happen.”

Hearts retaliated with a leveller but Saints - and Sang - doubled down on their efforts to ensure this was an afternoon that swung back in the right direction.

Something pleasing from the first whistle was his instant desire to keep the play moving and to operate at an effective tempo. The simplicity of quickly chasing down a ball that had trundled out for a throw-in in order to get things going again mattered.

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