The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Celtic games have skewed form guide
Davidson insists it is not ‘all doom and gloom’ despite run of five defeats in row
Murray Davidson insists the lure of a top six finish will spur on St Johnstone at a crucial stage of the campaign.
The Perth side are licking their wounds after a 5-0 Scottish Cup mauling at the hands of holders Celtic.
It was their third loss to Brendan Rodgers’ team in 11 days, with defeats to Hearts and Hamilton also thrown into the mix. Saints now head back to Glasgow to face title challengers Rangers on Saturday.
Midfield powerhouse Davidson, 30, admits it’s another major hurdle in their path. But despite their current losing streak, Tommy Wright’s men side have held on to sixth spot in the table.
And Davidson says they are determined to maintain their grip, despite having Motherwell, Hibs and Livingston on their coat-tails.
“This is a very tough game coming up for us again this weekend,” said Davidson, who has fully recovered from a knock he took in a weekend joust with Hoops skipper Scott Brown.
“Rangers have their targets and want to get closer to Celtic at the top.
“There’s a six point gap there and they know they have to keep winning games to keep the pressure on. But we will just be focusing on ourselves and trying to get back on another good run.
“We are still in a good position in the league with plenty to play for. So it’s not as if it is all doom and gloom. We aren’t going to feel sorry for ourselves. We have some huge games coming up now and the aim is to stay in that top six. That is where we want to be at the split.”
Davidson insists Saints’ form guide has been skewed by facing Celtic so often.
“People will be looking at our recent record and saying we have lost five games in a row,” he said.
“But we have played Celtic three times and they are the best in the country. There’s no getting away from that. They just keep breaking records.
“Rangers are a very good side this year under Steven Gerrard and are definitely a lot closer to Celtic than they have been. But Celtic’s strength in depth is different to anyone else in Scotland. Despite all their injuries you saw that with their bench against us.
“I’m not being disrespectful to St Johnstone and clubs of our size, but if Celtic turn up and play to their max like they did on Sunday they will beat teams like us 99 times out of 100.
“Don’t get me wrong, we are as disappointed as anyone to have lost these games. But sometimes you just have to admit we were playing against a top team.
l Young Saints midfielder Alistair McCann is joining Stranraer on loan until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old, who has made six first team appearances, will make his debut for the Stair Park men tomorrow against Dumbarton.