Game-time for stars back from injury

St Johnstone first-team regulars returning from injury picked up a valuable 90 minutes of game-time over the weekend.

With no league action due to the international break, manager Callum Davidson watched Zander Clark, Murray Davidson and Chris Kane play the full match in a Saturday friendly against Dundee United.

Boss Davidson said:“It was good to get them all game time, I was very pleased with Zander.

“Elliott Parish has done really well since he came in, so it’s a case of getting games into Zander then looking at it.

“All three of the boys who’d been out injured came through the game fine and we will try to get another one arranged for them because they need more minutes.

“Stevie May didn’t play because his missus had a baby on Friday so we gave him the weekend off.

“He’s had more training than the other three anyway, so he’s not too bad.”

One player who has played every minute of this season and therefore did not require more juice in the legs was skipper Jason Kerr.

Davidson has been delighted with his attitude and said:“Jason enjoys the marauding centre half thing so he’s been really pleasing.

“He’s still getting used to it, but he understands what I am asking him to do.

“Some defenders might not take to it because they want to be more cautious, but Jason used to be a centre midfielder so he’s got that in his game already.

“He’s added plenty to us going forward but he’s also been very solid defensively.

“As with all your young players, if he can play at a level and we are playing at a level then I don’t see why he can’t get in the frame for Scotland. He’s playing very well and he’s shown great mental strength in the last year or so.

“Jason was questioned a bit last year when the team was struggling, people asking about the captaincy.

“But you come through it and you get stronger - that’s what

Jason has done.

“In football you have to take criticism at times but you have to deal with it and when you come through it you are better for it.”

Younger members of the Perth squad will again be heading out on loan, Davidson confirmed.

He added:“We are working on things and hopefully we’ll get someone in. We will also be putting a few of the younger players out on loan because they need that for their development.”

St Johnstone defenders Jamie McCart and Jason Kerr are pictured modelling the club’s away kit for season 2020/21.

The Perth pair were joined by Jimmy Turriff of A&B Taxis, who have shown their support by sponsoring the back of the shirt.

Photo by Perthshire Picture Agency