The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Davidson’s return gives Saints boss timely boost
Midfielder showed the kind of determination Perth men need
Callum Davidson is looking for tenacity in the opposition penalty box to help convert good play into points for St Johnstone.
And Murray Davidson gave the Perth manager a cameo performance against Ross County that suggested he could be the man to provide it.
The experienced midfielder came off the bench for brief run-outs in the St Mirren and Motherwell matches, without being able to make much of an impact.
It was a different story in the 15 minutes he got as Saints sought an equaliser at the weekend, however.
Winning headers and asking different questions of a County defence that had been dealing comfortably with everything coming their way before that, this was more like the Davidson Saints fans know and love.
The former Livingston man’s shot in the 90th minute forced an excellent save out of keeper Ross Laidlaw and was the hosts’ only effort on target all afternoon.
Davidson has made himself a contender to be selected to face his old club on Saturday.
“Murray was probably a bit disappointed he didn’t start but he has been out for a long time,” said the Saints boss.
“But it was good to get him out on the pitch again.
He is a leader out there and definitely one of those characters who players follow.
“He almost got us an equaliser late on. Murray showed typical determination to get onto the ball and probably caught his shot too well.
“I didn’t want to risk putting him back in too early in case he broke down again. “Hopefully, that will be him ready. “It is important he stays fit to give me a selection headache.”
The growing attacking influence of Scott Tanser has made Saints a more balanced team in recent games.
Danny McNamara got off to a flying start in the first few weeks of the season but it was the man on the opposite side of the pitch who caught the eye in the County defeat.
“Scotty was excellent against Ross County,” said Davidson.
“He had a couple of chances and was unlucky with the one which hit the crossbar, although it bounced up and he says he scuffed it a bit.
“If he had got the contact he wanted it would probably have gone in but it was a lovely move involving Danny and Jason (Kerr).
“It would have been a great goal but right now I’d take a scrappy one if it got us a win.”
He added: “Scotty plays the wing-back role really well.
“He had a great touch to go past the defender early on and get a shot away from a tight angle.
“He is playing really well just now.” Davidson didn’t think Tanser should be blamed for the free-kick that was given against him which led to County’s winning goal.
It was another example of borderline decisions going against Saints.
“You can debate it all day long but I thought he was unlucky with the free-kick,” he said.
“I’ve watched it back and still don’t know why it was given.
“I could understand if he was behind (Michael) Gardyne and gave him a shove. But he was in front and just stepped across him.
“If it’s a foul when someone steps into you, there would be any number in matches.
“I don’t know what VAR would say about our two penalty claims because they were both hand balls. A hand was definitely raised for one of them.
“It’s hard for me to take. There were a few decisions which went against us.
“I’m not one of these managers who complain but sometimes decisions do change games.”
He is a leader out there and definitely one of those characters who players follow. CALLUM DAVIDSON