The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Davidson eyes surge in league form ahead of Hampden cup final
St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson hopes the Betfred Cup can have another positive effect on their league season after his side reached the final with a 3-0 win over Hibernian.
Saints produced their biggest win against topflight opposition since November 2018 as headers from Jason Kerr and Shaun Rooney and a Craig Conway strike propelled them into their third League Cup final.
The group stages of the competition provided a much-needed chance to boost Saints’ confidence and it did so.
The Perth side had lost four games in a row and only scored once in seven matches before beating Kelty Hearts 2-1 in their opening game, and thrashed Brechin 7-0 days later.
That was the start of an 11-game unbeaten run and they put five goals past Hamilton in their subsequent Scottish Premiership game.
They are now five games unbeaten after dispatching Hibs and Davidson wants his team to take confidence from their ultimately comfortable triumph by continuing that run ahead of the final on February 28.
“It put us on a good run beforehand when we played the cup competition at the start of the season,” Davidson said.
“So I hope the players have belief that they are a good team, that they believe in themselves and each other. Because I certainly do.
“Hopefully we can start a little run. We are four unbeaten in the league now so make sure we carry on and win games of football.
“The way we performed for 60 minutes, it has got to give them a lot of confidence.
“We were shaky to start but once they settled down, you saw how well they played, on a big occasion. I know the supporters weren’t here but it’s a big occasion to get to a final, especially for a club like St Johnstone.
“Hopefully they can use that to go and try and win it.”
Hibees head coach Jack Ross claims their semi-final pain would have been just as acute had they been rank outsiders for the Betfred Cup.
Hibs fans may disagree after watching their team belie their status as tournament favourites by falling to an ultimately lacklustre defeat despite dominating the first half hour.
But Ross said: “Whether we were first favourites or fourth favourites is irrelevant.
“Trust me, when you are in this position it doesn’t make the disappointment or soreness any different.
“It’s as painful if you were rank outsiders to win the tournament. When you get so close to getting to a final then it hurts regardless.
“I’m bitterly disappointed, because it’s my responsibility, that I haven’t produced a team that has provided a better performance in the final 35 minutes.”