FOUR DAYS UNTIL HAMPDEN SHOWDOWN WHAT A TIME TO BE A SAINT Davidson pens new contract
Full-back Brownis lovingit inPerth
Murray Davidson has handed St Johnstone a huge Scottish Cup final boost by penning a new one-year deal.
And now the long-serving midfielder is determined to get his hands on silverware at Hampden this weekend.
The 33-year-old missed out on the 2014 Scottish Cup win and was then injured for this season’s League Cup triumph.
He played his first 90 minutes in months against Livingston on Saturday and is feeling fit.
“I am now fully focused on the Scottish Cup final on Saturday,” Davidson said yesterday.
“I am desperate to be involved and it’s going to be the biggest game of my career.
“Over the years it’s been well documented that I missed the 2014 Scottish Cup final and the Betfred League Cup final this season due to injury. Now, I hope that there are no setbacks this week and I’ll be available for selection.
“What we have achieved this season has been incredible. To win silverware, finish in the top six and qualify for European football is amazing. The Scottish Cup is the last bit of it and I hope we can do it.
“Now, we will all pull together, one
Scottish Cup final week has arrived.
If you are nervous now, just wait until Friday evening.
This group of Perth heroes will travel to Hampden on Saturday capable of fulfilling their wildest of footballing dreams.
One game against Hibs will determine whether St Johnstone Football Club complete the cup double.
The Fair City has been lighting up blue and white in the build-up to the big game - including this projected image of captain Jason Kerr on Mill Street. Do not miss our 16-page cup final pullout special on Friday. last time, and see where it takes us on Saturday. Hopefully, we can give our supporters one more special moment to savour.”
Davidson joined Saints in 2009 and is a popular figure at McDiarmid Park. He has given so much to the club and is already due a special testimonial season.
“I think everyone is aware of what St Johnstone means to me,” Davidson said.
“To have my contract situation sorted out is brilliant.
“The new one year contract is great and I thank the chairman, the board and Scott Boyd for giving me the opportunity to be here for next season.
“Also, the manager and all of his staff have been brilliant with the squad this season. As players, we couldn’t have asked for more from any of them.”
Manager Callum Davidson will be taking all safety precautions – particularly in times of COVID-19 – to make sure his midfield man makes the final this weekend.
“The lads have hardly trained the last two weeks so to get that effort, attitude and desire to get the result we needed was fantastic,” the Perth boss said of the draw with Livi.
“I wasn’t planning on playing Murray for 90 minutes. It’s just the way the game panned out with players. It’s all credit to him.
“He works extremely hard. You can see his sharpness wasn’t quite there.
“That’s why we decided to play Liam Craig, Stevie May and Murray because I think they needed that before the cup final.
“There was an element of risk to play them in order to get the result.”
Davidson added: “I’ll put Murray in full PPE gear, make sure he stays at home, comes to training and comes back again.
“You think I’m joking but I’m probably not, I think we all have to do it now.
“I’m just hoping for good fortune with COVID at the club and hopefully we are doing everything we can to make sure no one has got it or passed it on. We are praying no one else gets it.”
He only arrived in January.
And James Brown admits it is quite difficult to absorb just what St Johnstone have already achieved this season.
But the full-back would love the club to create even more history by becoming cup double winners this weekend.
Saints are on the verge of adding the Scottish Cup having already banked the League Cup in February.
Brown, who ventured north on loan from Millwall when Danny McNamara departed, knows this is a special squad of players.
He laughed: “I’ve come at the right time. I arrived in January so have caught the best of it.
“It can be frustrating when you aren’t playing but all credit to Shaun Rooney.
“He has been one of the most in-form players in Scotland. Sometimes you just need to bide your time.
“When called upon I feel like I’ve helped the team and it’s nice to feel a part of it. I knew a chance would come at some point.
“If we can still make the fans’ weekend, even from afar, that is what the boys want to do.
“When restrictions allow, this season is something the club needs to celebrate – and rightly so. This doesn’t happen every year.
“If we can go and get two cups, it’s going to be a hard season to match ever again.
“It’s one of those situations where you’ll look back on it in a few years and will realise the magnitude of what the squad has achieved.
“At the moment everyone is just taking it in their stride. Hopefully we can create more history.”
Brown revealed he will not be playing with Millwall next season. Having enjoyed his time in Perth, he is keen to remain a Saint.
“I’d like to stay up here,” he told the PA. “I feel like I’ve fitted into the group and have enjoyed it.
“But it’s not in my hands. I’ve expressed I’d like to stay.
“It’s a conversation that needs to be had in the near future. Either way, I’ve enjoyed my time.
“If something can be done it would be perfect. If not, you need to find another club. I can’t speak highly enough of the club, the staff and the group of players.
“I think the club is in a great position to go again next year. I’ve shown my desire to stay but we’ll just need to wait and see.”
Brown played the full 90 minutes on Saturday as Saints finished fifth to secure European football.