BISH BASH JOSH

McPake hits treble as slick Saints rout the Jags

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SIMO VALAKARI insists teamwork made the dream work for Josh McPake.

The St Johnstone winger got his season off to a flyer with a terrific treble to sweep Partick Thistle aside.

Jamie Gullan and Stevie Mallan also struck as the silky Saints responded in style to Paddy Reading giving the Jags the lead.

Perth gaffer Valakari was thrilled to see the ex-Rangers man's grafting turn to goals.

The Finn said: "I'm delighted for Josh. He has done this by himself.

"He changed his game to play for the team. Josh works so hard for the team now when he doesn't have the ball.

"When we are more compact, we have more chances to feed him the ball and he can work his magic.

"We wanted to show what type of team we're going to be and he boys did that.

"We were 1-0 down but heads didn't drop. We pushed straight away, scored quickly.