Davidson hoping to announce contract extensions soon
CALLUM DAVIDSON has revealed that St Johnstone are close to agreeing contract extensions with “two or three” first-team players.
Twelve McDiarmid Park recruits – including the likes of Guy Melamed, Stevie May, Chris Kane and Craig Bryson – are out of contract in the summer, while Glenn Middleton and James Brown will return to their parent clubs following the conclusion of their loan deals.
Davidson had previously voiced his concerns about clubs coming in for some of his League Cup winners, but ahead of tomorrow night’s match against Rangers, the Perth boss gave a positive update on contract talks.
Asked how discussions were panning out, Davidson explained: “It’s pretty good, two or three are pretty close to agreeing.
“We are working on a few more and it’s still ongoing all the time. There are a lot of positive signs there and I’d like to think after this week we’ll have some good news.”
Saints face a double-header against Premiership champions Rangers this week, with a league clash at McDiarmid Park on Wednesday coming before a Scottish Cup quarter-final clash at Ibrox on Sunday.
Despite Steven Gerrard’s side being unbeaten in the league this term, Davidson has seen glimpses that his own team could be in line to cause an upset.
He joked: “What do we need to do? We need Rangers to have an off day, we get a bit of luck to score in the 91st minute then the whistle blows!
“Seriously, though, I think we have conceded goals at bad times against them this season in the three games so far.
“We have allowed them to score cheap goals from giving away poor free-kicks so we need to eradicate that from our game.
“There are wee things we can do to put pressure on them but we know it’s going to be tough. We are playing with confidence, we work hard from the front and that has allowed the defenders to step in and make better decisions.
“If you lose that intensity at the front of the pitch then it makes it harder for defenders so it’s about the whole team
as a unit. We have been pretty good most of the season and if we can continue doing that, not give cheap goals away, then hopefully we can get something.”
As a former full-back himself, Davidson has been particularly impressed by Ibrox youngster Nathan Patterson.
The 19-year-old has fitted in seamlessly since Rangers club captain James Tavernier picked up an injury back in February and Davidson reckons he could be in line for a Scotland call-up soon.
He continued: “Even if Steven Gerrard has a few injuries, he still has a very strong squad to pick from.
“You just need to look at young Nathan Patterson. It’s a credit to him that they haven’t really missed James Tavernier, who has been the best player in Scotland.
“It’s funny. When you go back to my time there was maybe a lack of left-backs in the Scottish national team. Now we’ve got loads of top-quality leftbacks and the right side is more of an issue.
“If he can keep developing, we’ve got a very good right-sided defender coming through to join the players who are in that position just now.
“I don’t know [if he will make the Euros]. It will be interesting to see how many games he plays for the rest of the season. He’s certainly not done his cause any harm with his recent performances.”
The Saints boss added that winger Craig Conway will miss the midweek clash with Rangers but could be fit in time for the trip to Ibrox, while midfielder Murray Davidson is expected to resume training next week.