Davidson has full faith in Gilmour as he seeks to make breakthrough

CHARLIE Gilmour has needed to show Guy Melamed-esque patience as he fights for his first-team chance at St Johnstone.

But he could end up making a Guy Melamedesque impact when he eventually gets there.

The January signing has only seen a couple of minutes of action as a late substitute in the 3-0 thrashing of Motherwell at Fir Park.

Saints fans should not mistake Gilmour’s lack of game-time for a lack of faith on the part of his manager, however.

And the former Scottish Under-21 midfielder with “incredible ability” is still on track to fulfil talent developed at Arsenal’s academy in Perth.

“Charlie has incredible ability,” said Saints boss Callum Davidson. “His touch and movement are good.

“He’s a big lad, he’s a box-to-box midfielder and has a great attitude – so all the attributes are there.

“It has just been a case of getting him up to speed because he was short of fitness when he arrived here.”

That Gilmour has been progressing on the training ground rather than in the heat of battle hasn’t come as a surprise to the 22-year-old, who was snapped up by Davidson after being released by Norwich City.

“Charlie has been patient because he knew that would be the case when he arrived here,” he said.

“Hopefully we can get him games and part of games between now and the end of the season.

“We signed him with a view to bringing him along and looking towards next season. That was in the back of my mind.

“You always want young players coming through and getting ready for the first team.”

Gilmour came on as a sub against Motherwell.