BOSS HAS LOT TO TEACH ME
Tanser: I’m going to learn everything I can
Callum Davidson’s arrival as St Johnstone manager was music to the ears of Scott Tanser.
The McDiarmid Park full-back reckons the new boss, who played in the same position, will be the perfect mentor to develop his game further.
Tanser joined the Perth club in 2017 when Davidson was still assistant and even then his defensive knowledge proved invaluable.
Now the 25-year-old is ready to learn even more as he puts in the training mileage across the next three weeks ahead of competitive action.
“It was unexpected to see Tommy Wright leave but he did brilliantly for us and I wish him all the best,” Tanser told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“We’ve got the new gaffer and it’s been going really well.
“Training is hard and I know we’ll reap the rewards from that.
“Everything has been very professional, short and sharp. It’s getting our fitness back up quickly.
“When I first came up to the club Callum Davidson was the assistant.
“I got to work really well with him in the first season.
“To have him back and knowing that he played the same position as me, I’m going to learn everything I can from him.
“He is constantly talking to me and is always teaching me things. He played at a high level so all I can do is learn.”
Saints are working towards an August 1 Premiership start following months of uncertainty due to the unprecedented coronavirus outbreak.
Tanser is likely to have strong competition from fellow left-sided defender Callum Booth for a starting spot.
“Me and Callum Booth work off each other,” Tanser explained. “You obviously want to be in that starting place but we have a good relationship.
“We are now the experienced ones. You are not going to be young forever and you need to step up and help the younger ones through.
“The defence is young but not inexperienced. We’ve played a lot of games together and hopefully that can continue.
“You see how we ended last season with all of the young lads. Our squad is younger than quite a few teams.
“But the way we all gel together and work as a team continues to be brilliant.”
The Perth side were pulled out of the fixture generator with Dundee United for a Tayside derby day opener.
Tanser, who was kept busy during lockdown with the arrival of new daughter Connie-Rose, said: “It was a struggle when football first stopped. We were hoping to finish the season but that didn’t happen.
“I was occupied and was quite busy during lockdown but everyone has been itching to get back. Now we’re back, it’s a bit of normality.
“I think we would’ve taken a really good following to Dundee United.
“The way our squad is training, I don’t have any doubts that we can start off with a win.
“I think the aim has to be getting into the top six again. We know we’re more than capable of doing it.”
Experienced midfielder Liam Craig, reacting to being handed a trip to Tannadice for the curtain-raiser, said: “You want to start the season well whoever you play against.
“With it being a derby game, the expectation is going to be huge.”