Craig ‘a natural’ to become manager in future

LIAM Craig’s playing career has got at least one more season left in it, after the veteran midfielder agreed a 12-month contract extension with St Johnstone.

But when the former Falkirk and Hibs man, who is closing in on the alltime appearance record for Saints, does decide to hang up his boots, coaching and management is a natural career path, according to Callum Davidson.

The Perth boss has already given Craig offfield duties to combine with his on-field ones at McDiarmid Park, where he has been a permanent Premiership starter in recent times.

There are a lot of boxes being ticked by the 34-year-old for his life after playing, another one being his leadership role as the PFA chairman.

“I can definitely see him as a manager in the future,” said Davidson.

“Liam does the loan management for us, which keep him busy behind the scenes.

“It’s a really important job – making sure we’re in regular contact with all our loan players.

“He loves football, loves coaching and enjoys analysing and talking about different parts of the game.

“I think he’s a very good coach and communicator.

“Another thing I’d say about Liam is he’s still willing to learn – even at 34. You can’t stop learning in football.”

The return of Davidson to Saints as manager in the summer meant the close relationship between the two former team-mates inevitably “changed a bit for both of us”.

Craig dropped out of Davidson’s starting lineup after the 2-2 draw with Dundee United on January 12 and was still a substitute five games later.

But he has played every minute of Saints’ last five games, in which time they have secured a trophy and a place in the top six.

“At one point he came to me for a conversation because he wasn’t happy that he wasn’t playing,” said Davidson.

“When you’re the manager you have to step back a bit.

“But we still get on – even when I dropped him!”