But to point out the obvious, the (fairer) 2up 2 down would've seen Arbroath into the premier league and both St J & ICT could've started their prep for next season much sooner
Yes - but as a number of folks have pointed - survival in the SPL means jobs are saved - not just players. Clubs in Scotland that aim to work within their means really do work within their means - and relegation to the Championship would have mean the loss of a fair few jobs at McDiarmid - and that was on the minds of players.
Besides, getting out of the Championship would probably have been very difficult since - as has been demonstrated this season - loss of just a couple of key players can severely impact a side such as St Johnstone and even staying up they are almost certain to lose Clark (their keeper) and McCart (central defender), and may also lose Hendry (key goal scorer) and Rooney (double cup final goal scoring legend) - all out of contract.
As the manager Callum Davidson pointed out last night - a team like St Johnstone has no right to be playing in the SPL - that they have been in the top flight since 2009-2010 is remarkable in that that is the longest spell (by a fair distance) that the club has ever spent in the top league of Scottish football. They were a Yo-Yo club and would very quickly revert to being one if they had been relegated.
But the players - even, and almost especially, those who know they are likely to be heading out of the door, voluntarily or not, really busted a gut last night, and the 5500 Saints supporters in the 7500 crowd really showed the players that they really care about the club and gave great support throughout. Finally - mention must be made of the 2000 ICT fans who made the trip south to urge their team on - made for a great atmosphere.