THE BACK PAGE CALLUM’S KISS SAYS IT ALL
Magical day for Saints boss after cup win No.2
The impossible dream? Not for St Johnstone.
No words will ever be great enough to describe what manager Callum Davidson and his group of players have achieved and just what they have done to lift the spirits of a whole city.
The Saintees are Scottish Cup and League Cup champions 2021. The most unthinkable of doubles in a year like no other.
Tears streamed from faces, players danced long into the evening and yesterday Davidson sat at McDiarmid Park cradling both trophies.
“I was in the stadium on Monday sitting next to both trophies,” he beamed. “You realise how great an achievement it is.
“That is four games we’ve played at Hampden this season and we’ve turned up every time. It really has been fantastic.
“The team spirit is part of the success. We have a great bond.
“A lot of the boys were really tired on Saturday because of the
COVID issues. It was very difficult to pick the team.
“But everybody was fighting for each other. You see what it means to the players.
“The group I have want to do well for themselves, their family and for the club.”
Saturday’s Scottish Cup win against Hibs at Hampden was packed full of team spirit and the scenes in the St Johnstone dressing room at full-time will never be forgotten. A topless Davidson was sliding across a champagnesoaked floor, cheered on by his players.
“I’m not sure how I got my top off,” he laughed. “It took me about five minutes.
“I’m very much a ‘what happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room’ type. I didn’t realise Stevie May put me on social media.
“My daughter kept telling me that I had over one million views. I’m not sure if that is a good or a bad thing.
“I’m quite a reserved person but I just thought the floor looked quite appetising – apart from the door at the end. I smacked my head and it’s in absolute agony. I’m not going to lie, it was sore.
“I was over the moon, absolutely delighted and wanted to join in with the lads. A few of them did it before and after me. I was just part of the cycle. Sometimes you need to show your emotions.”
Despite the highs of completing the double, Davidson’s thoughts have already turned to a summer of European football. And the inevitable bids that are going to come in for his star men.
“I have a lot of them signed up and hopefully I can get one or two more done,” Davidson said.
“I want to keep the spirit in the team there. It’s massive for us. If you take too many players out, it becomes very hard to replace. I hope they get the accolades and what they deserve from this season.”
■ Full reaction from
Saints’ Scottish Cup win on Saturday inside.