Boss Davidson desperate to keep Saints’ Hampden heroes
CALLUM DAVIDSON aims to tie up his Betfred Cup heroes on new deals.
And the St Johnstone boss admits a top-six finish would help his cause.
Davidson wants in-form strikers Guy Melamed and Chris Kane, plus other out-of-contract stars, on board for next season.
He said: “I am giving it massive thought. I am desperate to get players tied up. I want players to stay. And the more points on the board, the better position I will be in to offer contracts.”
Israeli ace Melamed was benched for the Hampden cup final over Livingston.
But he followed up his 25-yard screamer against Motherwell with a deft finish to claim a point at Hamilton in midweek.
Davidson added: “It was an incredible first touch to take it out of the sky.
“It was great quality. We have seen it enough in the last two months to see what Guy has got.
“His contribution in the last couple of months has been tremendous.
“We are talking and hopefully can get something sorted.
“He has had to work to get up to speed and we are seeing the benefits now. I feel Guy can score at any time so it is a real strength for us to have.
“I think the players are starting to see it as well.
“It gives them a bit more confidence.
“All credit to Guy. His girlfriend has been back in Israel and he has been stuck in his flat.
“But he always come in with a smile on his face, wants to work and play games. It has been great for me to see him scoring and great for him as well.
“It puts him in a good position but I will be working hard behind the scenes to try to keep him here for next season.
“We have been working behind the scenes for a wee while on Kano too.
“There are six or seven I am trying to get sorted.”
MOI ELYOUNOUSSI is dreaming of winning the Scottish Cup in front of Celtic fans – and avoiding becoming the first trophyless Hoops squad in more than a decade.
The Norwegian attacker is thrilled the competition was been given the green light as it gives the Parkhead men a purpose for the rest of the campaign.
Celtic’s league bid could end tomorrow but the Scottish Cup is an opportunity to avoid a silver-free season for the first time since 2009-10.
Elyounoussi, 26, said: “The Scottish Cup is something we are looking forward to, it’s another chance to win a trophy. We are still trying to win every game to see where we go but obviously the league is really tough.
“There is a trophy on the line now as well and we are the holders. It would be nice to keep it again. It has been a long time since Celtic didn’t win a trophy and that’s not something we want to be remembered for being part of.
“That’s not in our mind, though. We work hard in training and go into every game with the
aim to win. It will be the same in the Scottish Cup.
“You never know what the situation will be and whether it is safe.
“But it would be amazing if we got to the end of May and there were some fans in the
National Stadium. We know how difficult it has been without supporters this season, they have been really missed.”
The Hoops ace, right, added: “We have some players here who have never had the chance to play in front of our supporters or in finals. It would be amazing.”
Celtic’s caretaker boss John Kennedy reckons the competition has added importance for his battered Bhoys.
He said: “It’s good news for us, the competition coming back. It gives us something else to focus on and go for in terms of silverware – and hopefully finish the season on a high. It’s an extra incentive.”