The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Hendry got first choice for new boss and coach
McDiarmid management team gets big thumbs-up from young Perth striker
It really couldn’t have worked out much better for Callum Hendry.
In Callum Davidson, the St Johnstone striker has got the new manager he wanted.
And in Steven MacLean, he has got the new coach he wanted.
The former played a big part in bringing him to Perth and the latter played a big part in bringing him on as a Premiership attacker.
Little wonder that Hendry is excited to see what next season will bring.
As the 22-year-old recalled, when he was released by Blackburn Rovers three summers ago it was Davidson, then Tommy Wright’s number two at McDiarmid Park, who made the decisive move to bring him up to Scotland.
“I was about to sign for a team in England after getting released from Blackburn,” said Hendry, last season’s top goalscorer for Saints.
“The gaffer (Davidson) rang my dad to get me up for a week. I enjoyed it, trained well and they offered me a contract. He was a massive part in me coming up here and as soon as he was announced as manager, I was delighted.
“The one person I wanted when Tommy Wright left was Callum.
“He is not easy on me, which isn’t a bad thing. He is on me like a rash 24/7.
“The way to get the best out of me is to push me to my limits and Callum is very good at that. He doesn’t make me sulk ever – he just makes me want to work hard. Callum knows how to get the best out of me. Hopefully I start next season how I finished the last.”
Davidson left Perth for Stoke City after Hendry had been at the club for a season, with MacLean also departing for Hearts at the same time.
It might only have been over the course of 12 months but the veteran forward had made his mark on the young, up-andcoming one.
“My first year up at the club, Macca was still here,” said Hendry.
“Every training session he would pull me aside afterwards.
“He has so much experience to offer. He helped me and now having him as a coach is going to benefit me hugely. I want to make keeping the ball and simplifying my game second nature. Macca is the best person to help me with that.
“If someone had asked who I wanted to come in on the coaching staff to help me, I’d have said Macca. I’m very lucky.”
It has been a case of so far, so good for the Saints players on their phased training return ahead of an August football restart.
“We were doing a lot of shadowing and passing through defenders today,” said Hendry.
“I know we have got the green light (for full contact) but there wasn’t really any proper contact. I think that will begin on Wednesday. We were all buzzing to get
back in and see the boys. There was big excitement about the place.
“Everyone has come back really fit and it’s a good standard to start with.
“Usually with pre-season you get some boys coming back a little sloppy. But everyone obviously wants to impress.
“I just made sure I hit the ground running. The new gaffer said that we know what we’ll get from him. He will work hard and he expects that back.”
The supporters haven’t yet got a return date to circle on their calendars. Hendry hopes they’ll be able to get their pens out soon and that, in the meantime, they can still share in the anticipation ahead of the start of a new St Johnstone era.
“It’s important the fans stick by us,” he said. “I know they will.
“It’s hard that they might not be able to come and see the games.
“As players, we know the fans are the biggest part of a club. It would be tough to play games without them. But if I was a fan I’d be very excited with the new coaching team and the players we’ve got.”