Davidson desperate to keep hold of loan Ranger Middleton Youngster makes quite an impression on Saints boss
CALLUM DAVIDSON hopes to open talks with Rangers this summer about extending Glenn Middleton’s stay at St Johnstone.
The 21-year-old has made a big impression during his short spell in Perth after firing Saints into the top six of the Scottish Premiership with his first goal for the club.
Middleton is contracted until 2023 with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, but an extended loan deal may be possible as his projected game time at Ibrox looks likely to be limited.
Asked if he could potentially bring the youngster back in the summer, Davidson responded: “Definitely. He’s had to be patient, but he’s come off the bench against Ross County and scored the goal that got us into the top six.
“That’s some achievement. He’s worked really hard from the day he arrived here and the more I can get him involved, the better he’ll be for us.
“If he does unbelievably well for me in the next five or six games I probably won’t get the chance to keep him! He’s great about the place, he wants to learn and has a really positive attitude about everything he does.
“We’ll be looking to get him more game-time and then have a conversation with Rangers about next season. Hopefully that’s something we can think about.
“I think he’s at the stage in his career where he now needs sustained gametime.”
On the prospect of returning to
Perth next season, Middleton said this week: “I am under contract at Rangers and that means they are in control of the situation moving forward.
“I’ve no idea what the summer holds for me in terms of going into next season. But if there is an opportunity to come back to Saints then I’d seriously look at it because I have really enjoyed my time here.
“I can’t look too far ahead. For me just now, it’s about trying to play in every game for St Johnstone and making a positive impact.”
Perth boss Davidson was spotted by the BBC television cameras on Tuesday evening as Dunfermline took on Dundee in the Scottish Championship.
The Perth boss was tight lipped on his scouting mission, but said: “There are a lot of young players playing in that division. If you’re between 18 and 23 and getting regular football you’re going to get better.
“There are players to look at but whether they can improve our team and whether we can get them is a different story.
“Shaun Rooney and Jamie McCart have gone on to play well for St Johnstone after being in the Championship.” Davidson hopes St Johnstone’s recent League Cup success will help to lure some of the top talents from down the divisions to McDiarmid Park.
“That’s a positive for us,” he said. “But that’s the same whatever market we look at – there are players in Leagues One and Two, England and Ireland.
“We’ll keep looking everywhere for players who we think can make a difference. It’s not easy to get it right. Guy Melamed was more of a gamble but that has paid off.”