The only way is looking up now in survival fight
Callum’s targeting Dons and Buddies
Callum Davidson knows St Johnstone still have work to do in their fight for survival but reckons they can also start to target St Mirren and Aberdeen.
Saints managed to come from behind to claim a point on their visit to relegation rivals Dundee.
The Perth side remain five points ahead of the Dark Blues and are now just five behind St Mirren and Aberdeen.
St Johnstone entertain the Buddies next weekend. Davidson, when asked if they now had a cushion, said: “No! But we are five points behind St Mirren and Aberdeen as well.
“So it is a huge game next week. I think we need to take each game as it comes.
“You saw Dundee fighting for their lives and we are fighting for our lives as we have done since January.
“We need more of that, especially from the middle part of the game. I want that courage to go and play, not just go long and fight for second balls. Hopefully we can do that in the coming games.”
It was last year’s Scottish Cup Final hero Shaun Rooney who came to the rescue with his second- half header cancelling out Jordan Marshall’s opener.
Davidson admits he hopes to get Rooney signed up on a new deal.
The gaffer said: “It was great. We have missed him this season and I thought his second-half performance was excellent.
“I also thought he led the group and I am delighted he got the goal.
“He is going to be a valuable player for us in the next four games.”
Dens boss Mark McGhee went with the same team who had started the 2-2 derby draw with Dundee United.
The visitors made one change from the team who were dismantled at Celtic, with Nadir Ciftci in for Glenn Middleton.
Scottish football has shown that when there is something to play for, the punters will turn out.
There was a big support for both sides with the home ranks swelled by an initiative to provide tickets for those who couldn’t normally afford it.
Even Dundee’s American-based owner Tim Keyes made a rare appearance.
The sun was out and fans from both sets of supporters lit flares – but were looking for similar explosions from their respective teams on the pitch.
Jamie McCart had the first chance when he looped an effort on to the top of the Dundee net.
The home side hadn’t much to celebrate in recent weeks but that changed in the 10th minute. Max Anderson started it up the right and played the ball into Paul McGowan who turned and found incoming Marshall who beautifully arrowed a low shot across Zander Clark and into the bottom corner of his net.
It sparked wild home celebrations and Dundee tried to build on it.
Danny Mullen took a hefty challenge but managed to play it off to McGowan but his chipped effort was headed away by Dan Cleary.
Saints knew the game was equally as important to them but there was a real lack of urgency and desire in the opening stages. They were passive, to say the least.
Ciftci, who was still looking for his first goal, picked up the ball 25 yards and fired in a brilliant shot that had goalie Ian Lawlor diving to his left to push away.
Dundee then dropped deeper and that gave Saints the chance to get a foothold.
A long Rooney throw was headed out to Ali Crawford and he fired in a shot that was just too high.
A good ball from Callum Booth sent Callum Hendry clear but his effort was disappointing as he fired wide with the outside of his boot then McCart headed over again at the end of the half. The visitors left the field with boos ringing in their ears and that was in sharp contrast to the delight of the home sections.
Saints made a change with Tom Sang coming on for Cleary at the break while Dundee felt Paul Mullan hadn’t fully recovered from a knock and was replaced by Luke McCowan.
Saints did look dangerous when they put crosses in the box but they desperately had to ramp things up – and they did.
Ryan Sweeney had to block Booth’s effort and Cammy Kerr and Lawlor had to go together to deny Ciftci.
Saints then grabbed their goal. Melker Hallberg’s corner was headed in all too easily by Rooney in the 68th minute.
It was only Rooney’s second goal of an injury- hit season and his other came against Dundee in the Premier Sports Cup.
Rooney then fired another shot wide and Lawlor tipped another effort from Hendry past a post as Saints pushed for the points.
McGhee made changes and went for it. His Dundee side threw balls into the box but it never really fell for them.
The closest they came was when sub Zak Rudden flicked a ball past Clark but Liam Gordon got back to clear.
Niall McGinn put in another great cross but Rudden vcouldn’t get enough on it to score.
Adam had a free-kick in stoppage time but it was blocked by the wall.