The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dull afternoon and three points would be the ticket for Saints
Davidson backs O’Halloran and Foster to make a big impact in Lanarkshire
Last Saturday didn’t want for drama, and neither did the last trip to Hamilton.
For St Johnstone midfielder Murray Davidson a boring, mundane victory this afternoon would do just fine.
The Kilmarnock game seven days ago, or more specifically four of his teammates not making it to the ground in time, was a first for Davidson.
And two colleagues getting sent off for fighting with each other at Hamilton last season was a new one too.
Looking back on the Danny Swanson and Richard Foster bust-up, Davidson joked: “Just another typical St Johnstone memory!”
The former Livingston man added: “It’s the only time in my career it’s happened and I’m not expecting to see it again.
“I just saw the aftermath. I heard the two of them arguing the whole half but I just thought that was typical Swanny and Fozzy. That’s nothing new.
“I didn’t know what had happened until the referee sent them both off. “We kicked on after that game. “A lot got made of it but it showed that the two boys cared. They wanted the best result on the day. Obviously it got out of hand but the manager and chairman dealt with it, they served their punishment, shook hands and they got on fine after that.
“Hopefully it will be better memories this weekend.
“It would be nice if there was no drama. We could do with a run of the mill Saturday and three points.”
On the late show of Foster seven days ago, Michael O’Halloran, Denny Johnstone and Chris Millar as a result of an A9 accident, Davidson said: “It wasn’t ideal obviously but these things happen.
“They’d put on the group chat that there had been an accident, then when I came in I saw a few of the boys who travel up from Glasgow. I think they were able to get turned but the other boys were literally right behind the accident.
“Next thing I know Google Maps were getting called for.
“I’ve never seen anything like it but we made the changes and dealt with it. Unfortunately we didn’t do enough in the game to get a result.
“It was really disappointing to not build on the Hibs win, which was such a good performance.
“I don’t think there was a lot in the game on Saturday but the goals we gave away were poor. It’s gone now and this is a chance to bounce back.”
O’Halloran and Foster are expected to return to the starting line-up today and Davidson predicted the pair will be determined to make an impact.
“Nobody likes to miss out on a game of football, particularly when you’re fit,” he said.
“It’s hard enough through injury and suspension but for that to happen, when it’s totally out of your control, would be even more frustrating. They were sitting
in a car for four hours. “They’ll be desperate to play. “You could see in training this week that they look hungry.
“Hopefully they can show that on Saturday and help us get the win.”
Hibs manager Neil Lennon hit out at “caveman” Accies tactics recently, but Davidson isn’t expecting today’s opponents to “cross the line”.
“I don’t see them as overly physical,” he said. “I’ve been surprised at how physical another couple of teams have been – but not Hamilton.
“They’re competitive – a bit like ourselves – but I’ve never gone down there thinking ‘that crossed the line’. It’s hard fought and if you don’t match their work-rate you won’t get a result.”
Davidson added: “Managers are so worked up after a game that things get said. If you spoke to Neil Lennon now he might not think they are cavemen.
“Every team in this league has to be physical. You’re not going to pass your way through teams like Barcelona do. It’s just not going to happen.
“Celtic are on a different level but the rest of us have to be competitive.
“If you do match their effort there’s a chance you can get on the ball up the pitch.
“I take it as a compliment when players who sign for us say ‘I never used to like playing against St Johnstone’. You don’t want it to be the other way around.
“If I was a Hamilton player I’d be thinking ‘job done’ if I heard what Neil Lennon had said.
“I can only comment on the games I’ve played them. Yes, they’re competitive. Yes, they like to get stuck in but they haven’t crossed the line.”
Brian Easton, Aaron Comrie, Chris Millar and Steven MacLean will miss out today.
Ali Crawford could make his Hamilton return for Accies who are hoping to build on a month that saw boss Martin Canning and David Templeton named manager and player of the month, respectively.
A knee injury has kept the midfielder out since late September but he has now returned to training and Canning is hopeful he will be fit for action against Saints.
That apart, the Lanarkshire outfit are at full strength for the clash at the SuperSeal Stadium.