The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Saints quartet get game time
SAINTS: Boss could face some tough selection choices when domestic campaign resumes
Callum Davidson is planning to use a weekend bounce game against Dundee United to get 90 minutes of football into all his St Johnstone players returning from injury, writes Eric Nicolson.
Stevie May is the furthest along the road to full fitness of the quartet, having come off the bench on three occasions, scoring the winner against St Mirren in the last of those.
Murray Davidson was also introduced as a late substitute on Saturday, as was Chris Kane.
Zander Clark, though, has yet to feature in a match-day squad after injuring his knee in preseason.
“I am pleased to be getting players back fit,” said Davidson. “Murray, Stevie, Chris and Zander should all be available for the Motherwell game.
“They are really important parts of the jigsaw.
“We have arranged a game with Dundee United on Saturday so hopefully they will all get 90 minutes under their belts.”
“Players who have featured regularly will train in the morning and we will look at the minutes of game-time so far for the others,” said Davidson.
“It’s good to get the match fixed-up. “I didn’t want to play a bounce game amongst ourselves because you can pick-up little niggles.
“The ones in the squad who are needing match practice will all get a run.
“For Mayso, if he can get 90 minutes that will help his confidence and it will benefit the lads who haven’t featured so far.”
Four experienced players putting their hand up for a start after the international break will make picking a team harder for Davidson as the weeks go by but loyalty to those performing well – and part of a winning team – will be a big factor when selecting an 11.
“Going forward, I’m not saying I won’t make changes game by game,” said the Mcdiarmid Park boss.
“I might tweak it now and then with one or two players but on the whole it’s healthy for the squad if you’re playing well you stay in the team.
“
I’m not saying I won’t make changes but it’s healthy for the squad that if you’re playing well you stay in the team
“It will be up to players coming back into the squad to fight for positions.”
It goes without saying that the Perth camp is a happy one after Saturday’s first home win of the season.
“It was important we got a victory against St Mirren going into the break,” said Davidson.
“I know we played well but getting the win was vital and it is nice to see the lads getting plaudits.”
Danny Mcnamara, who is currently on under-21 duty with the Republic of Ireland, caught Davidson’s eye from the first closed-doors game of pre-season after he arrived on loan from Millwall. And his end product against the Paisley Saints was evidence of the right-back’s rapid progression since then.
“I knew when he put in a great slide tackle against Hibs in a friendly that he would do well,” said Davidson.
“He is proving me right so far. “Danny has a great attitude and he took a chance coming up here. He went out on loan to Newport and it is a bit like Ali Mccann going to Stranraer when he was younger.
“The ones who want to keep learning and developing progress.
“Danny is one who wants to keep getting better. He isn’t satisfied with what he is doing. He wants to improve all the time.
“That’s about getting games. It will be great for us if he keeps improving.
“He knows himself the quality of his crossing is one area he has to get better at and they were excellent against St Mirren.”