The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Tanser’s development delights boss Davidson
Full-back impressing with his energetic and attacking displays
Danny McNamara has gained the headlines for his outstanding performances on the St Johnstone right.
But Perth boss Callum Davidson is also pleased with what he’s seeing on the opposite side of the pitch.
Saturday’s start at Motherwell was Scott Tanser’s 100th since he arrived at McDiarmid Park as a trialist in 2017, when Davidson was Tommy Wright’s assistant.
And in that time the Englishman has realised the potential the management team saw in him.
“Scotty has improved since came here,” said Davidson.
“He’s got more experience and that has come with games. There was a rawness about him when he first came but we knew that and he was one we wanted to develop.
“He’s learned and pleased with him.
“His delivery into the box is great and he’s got the energy I think you need to play that full-back position.
“Modern-day full-backs have to bomb up and down, so with Danny McNamara on the other side we have players on kicked he on, first so
I’m either side who can add that dimension.”
Davidson believes he has good competition for places in these two physically demanding positions.
“With the wing-back role, you can play an attacking player or a more defensive one depending on the way you want to play,” he said.
“Callum Booth and Shaun Rooney can also do it, so I’m lucky to have a few players who are capable. We have that flexibility and all four of them are capable of getting the ball into the box.”
If the delivery from the flanks continues to be of a high standard, Davidson is convinced his strikers will do the service justice.
“We always practise it because we want to get the ball into the area as much as we can,” he said.
“I think we have had the ball in front of goal a lot. The chances have been there and I would be worried if they were not.
“But that’s not the case. We have been getting the ball into the box from good positions and we’ll hit a purple patch in front of goal.
“It’s a work in progress and it’s only a matter of time before the strikers get on the end of them and come to life. attacking
“They are all good. Nobody is down in the dumps. They are all desperate to play and to be involved. That’s what they’re all like.
“It’s obviously nice when your strikers score because they make it easy for you.
“But it’s up to them to get goals. They are all doing the right things and the goals will come.”
Booth is unlikely to be in the squad for tomorrow’s clash with Ross County.
“Callum is the only one struggling for Saturday,” Davidson reported.
“He has a little Achilles injury but we’re hoping he’ll be fine next week.
“It’s one we can manage. There are no issues with it, so he’ll probably miss Saturday then be ready for next weekend.”
Saints seized control of their last match at McDiarmid, against St Mirren, from the first minute. Davidson wants to see the same again.
He said: “Ross County play a lot of football. They were actually really good against Celtic in the first half. We have to make sure we’re on it.
“The players will know what to expect from them and we have to deal with it and be a bit more clinical ourselves.”