Saints’ recruitment needs to be right this summer – Davidson

Proud St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson has heaped praise on his players for holding their nerve to keep the Perth club in the Premiership.

And he has pledged to do all he can to make sure they are never in this perilous position again under his watch after a trying season has ended on a high.

“We all know how tough a season it’s been and where we were,” said Davidson.

“I’m so proud of the boys. A big thanks to our supporters. After that Kelty game they’ve stood by us and backed us in big numbers tonight.

“We weren’t very good first half – a bit nervous and ponderous – but we got the goal. It was great for Stevie to get it. We’d lost Jamie McCart with concussion before the game and then Glenn Middleton at halftime with a hamstring injury.

“Stevie gives everything for the team and that’s the type of spirit we needed tonight.”

Saints have become used to winning silverware under Davidson but a survival mission accomplished deserves to stand alongside it for different reasons in his eyes.

“People have asked me about winning the two cups and staying in the league,” he said.

“For me, this is a bigger achievement. I know that might sound strange.

“But mentally, to play under pressure like this every single week after being bottom from January by quite a bit was incredibly tough.”

Davidson is already turning his thoughts to improvements that need to be made next season. “It’s important we get a good strong squad together,” he said.

“We might lose a few players – Zander (Clark) is a definite one – but we need to replace them with quality. None of us want to go through something like that again. We need to make sure we get our recruitment right.

“What I would like to say is none of the players going to be out of contract have downed tools. They’ve worked their socks off and fought for the cause. I can’t thank them enough for that.”

Caley Jags head coach Billy Dodds had mixed emotions after their Premiership hopes ended at the final stage – and he was choked with emotion afterwards.

He said: “I am proud and disappointed at the same time if that’s possible.

“We got where we wanted in the first half. My team were exceptional and created the better chances.

“I thought if we kept that shape and belief we would have got something. We lost the first goal when we were a bit out of position and the second goal, a deflection, kills us.

“They scored another two. We had a great chance in between but it was a step too far – not through fitness but by getting caught.

“I am so proud of the players who have been great all season. We will take positivity from this season and confidence.

“We will build another squad to have a go. Hopefully we can go on a run and learn from where we had a mid-season blip – that maybe cost us automatic promotion.”

Callum Davidson celebrates staying in the Premiership.