SHAUN’S AGOOD FITSTEVE
the 24-year-old could do a job at Hampden for Clarke too.
World Cup qualification starts with a double-header against Austria and Israel later this month, then the Euros beckon in the summer.
Ex-defender Davidson said: “Shaun affects games.
“To score in the quarterfinal, the semi and the final is a remarkable achievement, particularly for a right wing-back.
“Shaun has unbelievable enthusiasm. He’s a great athlete and still learning.
“He is Scottish and Scotland are looking at that position, so potentially he can go on and fill the right wing-back or centre-back role for the national team.
“They are two different positions but in the systems we have played he has adapted well.”
Ex-Inverness defender Rooney had to play second fiddle to Danny McNamara before Millwall recalled the Republic of Ireland youth cap in December.
But he has netted in three of Saints’ last four games, his most important being the goal that sealed the League Cup seven years on from the club’s Scottish Cup success.
Davidson said: “Shaun had to be patient to get his chance because Danny was playing so well. And he did extra work when he wasn’t playing to make sure he was ready.
“I want competition for places. That’s why James Brown came up from Millwall when Danny went back.
“He is now having to be patient because of how well Shaun is playing.”
Davidson had told his cup heroes to get ready to drink Perth dry – even if they need to wait until the summer to crack open the champagne.
But the 44-year-old did mark his first trophy in his first season as a boss with some bubbly and a takeaway.
He said: “It wasn’t the traditional cup celebration, that’s for sure.
“I drove home, had a takeaway with the family and a glass of champagne.
“I know the fans want to celebrate with us when it’s allowed and safe for everyone to enjoy the occasion.
“The club definitely want to organise something so everyone can mark this achievement. We had never won this cup in 137 years so need to celebrate properly.
“It is huge, especially given where this club have come from. But it is important we do it right.”
The Perth manager was delighted to see his heroes include injured midfielder Murray Davidson in their post-match celebrations.
The 32-year-old also missed the Scottish Cup win in 2014 but with eight players on Sunday’s bench due to the size of Saints’ squad, he picked up a medal.
Skipper Jason Kerr and vice-captain Liam Craig cajoled him into lifting the trophy with his team-mates.
Boss Davidson added: “It was only right for him to pick up a medal. I was delighted to see Jason and Liam get him forward to lift the cup.
“The boys think a lot of Murray and they all knew how he was feeling. It was a major step in helping Murray get over his disappointment.
“On the plus side, it isn’t a serious injury. We have a break after the Hibs game so will get him fit for the run-in.”
Guy Melamed, Scott Tanser and Craig Bryson were on the bench on Sunday but could be key down the stretch.
Davidson said: “Telling some players they weren’t starting was probably the hardest thing I’ve had to do.”