Saints boss insists club will enjoy shot at dream cup double

The statement continued: “Thankfully, after the latest round of testing, all results were negative.

“However, as a result of the positive tests, two other players have been forced to self-isolate due to government guidelines. The two players in question tested negative.

“We feel our staff adhered to the guidelines and this has been largely outwith our control.

“It’s very unfortunate for four of our players to miss out on the important game on Sunday.

“However, we wish all of them well and their health and wellbeing will always be our priority.

“We will keep our supporters updated if we need to share further information.

“Callum and the players will now focus on Sunday’s game.”

Davidson can argue that his team isn’t the likeliest to lift the Scottish Cup on May 22 and that it has the lightest collective burden of expectation.

That Saints are just two matches away from a trophy double is incontestable though, as ridiculous as that may have sounded a few months, even weeks, ago.

“Before this year we had only ever won the Scottish Cup once and we’d never won the League Cup,” said Davidson.

“To win both in one season wouldn’t have even been in the wildest dreams of any St Johnstone supporter. But we’ve got the chance to do it.

“There’s a 25% chance of us succeeding at the moment and hopefully that’s up to 50% by

Sunday. We’re in there fighting for it and we’re going to enjoy it.”

Saints’ one defeat to St Mirren this season came after Kerr was red-carded for a rash challenge which gave the Buddies the chance to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory.

The response from Davidson’s captain after that mid-campaign lowpoint has been emphatic.

“Jason’s a young centrehalf,” he said. “All three of them are young. They’re going to make mistakes in games.

“It’s about how learn from them.

“Since the turn of the year Jason has been our best and most consistent player, even though the other two centre-halves could probably argue about that, and there are others.

“I think phenomenal.

“He’s grown into the role of captain and handled it very well off the pitch, which is a big thing.

“He’s got the backing of the players and has gone on from strength to strength.

“His desire to win games of football is a big thing. Players follow that.

“It was tough to be a captain at a young age. Liam Craig has helped him grow into the position.”

Stepping up to take one of the spot-kicks in the quarter-final was an example of Kerr’s ‘lead from the front’ mindset.

“I didn’t expect that one,” said Davidson. “I think my eyes were shut when he was taking it! It was a great penalty, wasn’t it.

“It shows you the confidence he has and I was delighted he took the responsibility.” he’s you been

Callum Davidson: Focused on Sunday’s cup tie.