Davidson happy to go above and beyond
ST JOHNSTONE manager Callum Davidson admits his first season in management has already exceeded expectations with a League Cup trophy in the cabinet and a top six place in the Scottish Premiership secured.
But after winning the manager of the month award for March, the McDiarmid
Park manager now has his eyes firmly set on a European finish.
Saints are currently just four points off Livingston in fifth place and nine points away from Aberdeen in fourth.
Fifth position in the Premiership will be rewarded with European football if one of the top four is victorious in this year’s Scottish Cup.
“What would top it off for me would be if we get into Europe. That is the aim,” beamed Davidson after receiving his accolade. “Can we finish fifth, put pressure on Livingston, go as far as we can in the Scottish Cup and have another occasion out at Hampden? That is what I’m saying to the players and what I want from the players.
“The players are fully focused on doing their jobs and trying to be the best they can. We have a number of games left where hopefully we can go and be successful again.
“If you watched training the last few days you would understand they are all desperate to play. They are fighting to play. That is fantastic for me at this stage of the season. They’ve had a great season. Hopefully it can get even better.”
Davidson was quick to thank his coaching team of Steven MacLean, Alec Cleland and Paul Mathers for their hard work behind the scenes after winning his award. He continued: “I knew Paul Mathers already and I trusted him. Alec Cleland and Steven MacLean have worked extremely hard. It has been brilliant.
“I am here getting the award. But they work extremely hard behind the scenes on Sundays and days off watching videos and analysing games. They are out this afternoon with the kids. They are really enthusiastic, and they work really well together.”
Saints hit a rough spell at the turn of the year when they were lingering at the foot of the Premiership table throughout December and January.
Davidson has openly admitted he had concerns when his side went nine games without a win, but after a stunning turnaround, he insists his players deserve huge credit.
“If you had asked me back in October or November, I wouldn’t think we would be sitting here talking about manager of the month, a
League Cup and a top six,” he said. “I would have probably said ‘not a chance’ but all credit to those who I work with. The coaching staff and the players have obviously been really important. The people above have helped me out as well.
“From the Aberdeen game on December 26 the boys have been brilliant. I thought they actually played really well that game.
“Rangers and Celtic have only beaten us by one goal. We have won the majority of games and drawn a few too.
“It has been an incredible two and half to three months for the players and myself. It is nice to have a team talk when we don’t lose. Hopefully that continues for the rest of the season.”
Saints have a big summer ahead as they look to keep hold of some of their prized assets and Davidson knows that will be key if he wants to deliver continued success to the Perth outfit. He added: “For me it is trying to play a brand of football that is exciting. The biggest thing for that is if I will hold on to one or two of my players this summer. That is the key factor to determine how well we will do next season.”