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.
He showed ambition, energy and a willingness to advance deep into opposition territory and, when there, more often than not a decent delivery followed.
Defensively, he was sound and determined. On one occasion a lung-bursting run back into his own half - a lost cause, it seemed - resulted in a turnover of possession and the chance to mount another attack.
“In the position we’re in, when you go 1-0 up there can be a tendency to sit in and just be so desperate to keep the lead,” Sang reflected.
“But sometimes that is not the right thing to do because you become so deep that the opposition get chances.
“When they equalised, I thought we kept at it and kept at it.”
He continued: “When we have comfortable possession, I need to help out in attack.
“Their forwards liked to cheat and stay high so that they could counter quickly. When the ball was on the opposite side, I had to be a bit deeper and a bit more intelligent about where I put myself.
“It was about noticing when we had strong possession and then I could join in.”
That right wing-back role is one Sang clearly enjoys although, when he first pitched up in Perth, there was a touch of confusion as to his favoured position. He has previously been known to compete effectively in the centre of the park.
“I’ve played all my professional games at Cardiff at right wing back,” he noted. “As a player, attribute wise, I think that is where I have the best potential.
“Callum Davidson saw my games last year so he thinks the same as I do. But if I need to play centre midfield, I’ll do the same job and will enjoy it just as much.”
As the game progressed, it was easy to forget that this was Sang’s McDiarmid Park debut. He was continuing to play with confidence and drive.
Jamie McCart’s guided header early in the second half had again hoisted Saints ahead and then those in blue battled like their lives depended on it to earn a much-needed and deserved three points. They were off the bottom of the table.
It did not take long for celebrations to begin between fans - what a terrific backing they provided - and the players. Sang absolutely loved it.
He smiled: “It was my first game at McDiarmid Park and a massive win against a team that is right up there in the league. It’s massive. I really enjoyed it.
“I loved it. Loved it. I just love getting out there, playing and helping the team get out of this position. That’s what it’s about. I love playing.
“The fans helped push us through. Seeing that at the end, the atmosphere was class."
Of course, Sang realises the importance of now replicating the performance in Dingwall next week to spark similar scenes of celebration.
“It just makes you want to go and do it all again in the next one away at Ross County,” he said.
“Every game is just as big now. It’s getting those points and looking up. We don’t want to look behind now.
“It’s on us to be really aggressive, stick together as a team and produce the good moments like we did on Saturday.
“It can take so much to win one game of football but good teams can do it time and time again. There’s depth in the squad here and we have the ability.”
