Davidson rues squad depth with Tanser out for season
CALLUM DAVIDSON has revealed that Scott Tanser may have played his last game for St Johnstone.
The left-back limped off with an ankle knock against Rangers on Sunday as Saints dramatically booked their place in the Scottish Cup semifinals.
Tanser was offered a new deal in Perth back in January but talks between the club and the players’ representatives have since stalled.
Davidson has refused to close the door on the Englishman signing a contract extension, but he has confirmed that Tanser’s season is likely to be over.
He explained: “At the moment it doesn’t look too great for him. I think his season might be over.
“He hurt his right ankle just before he hurt his left. I got Callum [Booth] ready to come on because he was struggling with his right ankle then his left ankle got stuck in the ground.
“At the moment it doesn’t look too good. It’s quite badly swollen around the area so we need to wait for that to settle then we’ll get him a scan in the next couple of days then wait and see what the damage is.
“It looks like his season could be over. It’s a big blow for us because he’s been good. I’ve played Callum there a lot but it’s the one position we don’t really have a lot of cover on.
It’s a big blow for us to lose him.
“It’s possible that we could do something so Callum isn’t playing every game between now and the end of the season. There are a few people who can play different positions so we’ll have a look at it in the next few games.”
On contract negotiations with Tanser, Davidson added: “I don’t really know. We obviously offered him a good contract back in January and his agent just said he’d wait and see. As far as I’m aware, that’s where we’re at just now.”
In more positive news, Saints stalwart Murray Davidson completed his first full contact training session yesterday after returning from a calf knock sustained against Rangers back in February.
The combative midfielder missed out on St Johnstone’s League Cup glory but with a Scottish Cup semi-final on the horizon, Davidson hopes the midfielder can play his part in an historic cup double.
He continued: “Murray trained fully today, which is great news. Hopefully he’ll be in the squad on Saturday. I’ve just got to make sure I don’t get over-excited and try and use him too early.
“It’s great he’s back in training and he’s smashing into people with tackles already! That was good to see, although I think other people were wincing.
“It was bad timing the last time. I am not one of those for sentiment; I am one for those who are playing well. Murray will put himself in a position to try and get in the team but there are players playing very well in that position at the moment.
“Hopefully we can navigate through the next two games and get a positive result in the semi-final and hopefully Muzz can be a part of that.”
With the news coming this week that Euro 2020 squads have been expanded from
23 to 26, Davidson has also reiterated his hope to see some of St Johnstone’s stars in Steve Clarke’s squad this summer.
He said: “The longer we stay in the Scottish Cup then the more chance they will have. I will never pick a squad after having been involved with Scotland. You never ever tell someone how to pick a squad.
“All I can say is all my players have played really well in big games. Especially in the second half of the season.
“Hopefully they might get an opportunity. Whether it is just training with the squad or being involved. Hopefully they get some recognition for what they have done.”