Davidson urges Saints to keep up momentum

Murray Davidson believes Sunday’s result against Celtic can be the spur St Johnstone have been crying out for.

The influential midfielder hailed the determination of his fellow players following a deserved stalemate in the east end of Glasgow.

But Davidson, whose battling in the Perth engine room was pivotal, says the performance has to be replicated in coming weeks.

“As a team our work rate and shape was excellent,”Davidson told the Perthshire Advertiser.

“But there is no point in coming to Celtic and doing that then not taking it into other games.

“We need to build on it. It’s an excellent point and we need to take the positives into the next three or four games.

“It shows we can do it. There is no reason why we can’t do it in other games.

“We have gone to Easter Road, Ibrox and Celtic Park and picked up points. You wouldn’t do that if you were a bad team.

“We know that we have not been good enough in spells. We have taken a few knocks but, on Sunday, to a man, we were absolutely outstanding.

“It has not been for the lack of effort because as players we prepare the same for every single game.

“Performances have dropped from everyone at some stage in the season.

“But you see when we are all at it, and all playing for each other, then we are a hard team to beat.

“Even so far into the season it’s still extremely tight. Two or three wins can get you right back in it. We still have a lot of

teams to play and we believe that, if we work as hard as Sunday and are that organised, then we can be a match for anyone.

“There is no reason why we can’t go on a run now.”

Davidson reckons Saints could even have nicked three points if the final ball was better.

He went on:“It was a deserved point. They started a bit better and we struggled to get out in the first 10 or 15 minutes.

“We made a change and, especially at the end of the first half, we were excellent.

“We had some really good chances. If our final ball was a little bit better, we could have given ourselves even better opportunities.

“I thought we created enough and got into some good areas.

“When you come to this stadium the whole team has to defend, even the front two. If they don’t drop in and do a job, then you will get hammered.”

Welsh international George Williams, on loan from Fulham, was handed a start and played 65 minutes.

Davidson said:“George played his first game and I don’t think he will have a tougher one.

“He was tiring at the end and I don’t think he has played a lot of football.

“Matty Willock came on and did well again. They will be two important players for us but everyone will be.

“At some stage we believe our luck will turn. Even on Sunday we created chances and not many teams come to Celtic and do that.”