Davidson ticks all the boxes as Saints get set to appoint a new boss

CALLUM Davidson is on the verge of becoming the new manager of St Johnstone.

Tele Sport understands a deal has been struck with the former Saints player and coach, as well as with his current employers, Millwall.

Barring any last-minute hitch, Davidson’s return to Perth should be officially confirmed today.

It would have taken a left-field candidate of serious pedigree to give anybody a realistic shot of beating Davidson to the job but, after the applications were whittled down from a long list to a short one, the 43-year-old’s CV still shone brightest.

The bookmakers stopped taking bets yesterday morning and Davidson is understood to have travelled back to Scotland from London to finalise his contract.

He goes with the best wishes of Millwall manager Gary Rowett, who was among t he many people i n the game to describe the former Scotland international as the perfect fit for Saints – his first post as a head coach.

Davidson will also be a hugely popular appointment with supporters.

Recently there was an online fans’ vote on who should take over f rom Wright and he won it convincingly.

Since Wright’s shock exit, caretaker Alec Cleland has been at the helm along with head of football operations Kirsten Robertson.

Chairman Steve Brown had insisted he was in no rush to recruit a permanent replacement, with the ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic the immediate priority.

But with Millwall chasing a play-off spot when the action resumes down south – and the Perth squad returning for Covid-19 testing and then pre-season training next week – a managerial appointment has moved up Brown’s to-do list.

Davidson first left for Blackburn Rovers as a teenager in a club record £1.75 million deal, and went on to have a highly successful playing career in England.

On the coaching front, he has worked at Stoke City and Dunfermline, as well as Millwall and Saints.

He was also headhunted by Gordon Strachan to assist him with the national team.

Callum Davidson (right) looks set to follow Tommy Wright into the St Johnstone managerial hotseat.