Davidson backs fringe men to step up to task
ST JOHNSTONE manager Callum Davidson has backed his squad players at McDiarmid Park to step up to the plate in this weekend’s clash against Hibs.
The Perth outfit are short of bodies in the forward areas with Glenn Middleton and Stevie May ruled out until Christmas, with David Wotherspoon also on the sidelines. Chris Kane will sit out of tomorrow’s game through suspension, too.
With four key attacking players ruled out, there are places up for grabs for some of Saints’ fringe players.
The Perth club’s manager Davidson revealed that Viv Solomon-Otabor has been drafted in until January on a short-term deal, while Eetu Vertainen has been working hard in training without having yet enjoyed a run of games in the team.
Michael O’Halloran can of course fill in as the main striker, too. And Davidson has every confidence they can fill the void left by those on the treatment table.
He said: “Michael can play in three or four different positions. Eetu has been excellent in training this week too. With Chris Kane suspended, it might be a chance for Eetu to showcase what he can do.
“He knows there are opportunities for him to play and he is working extremely hard. He has all the attributes and a lot of things going for him that are really good.
“Now is near the time where I’ll be throwing him in more and giving him more gametime.
We definitely need more goals up front and that is why I brought him in.”
St Johnstone defended their League Cup title proudly this campaign, but fell in last week’s semi-final against
Celtic thanks to a late James Forrest strike.
Tomorrow’s opponents, Hibs, on the other hand, stunned Rangers by defeating the champions 3-1 at Hampden.
Jack Ross’s men suffered defeat to basement boys Ross County on Wednesday evening, but Davidson was full of praise
for the Easter Road club.
He said: “They’ve had Covid issues but they’ll be on a big high now. I thought they were excellent on Sunday. I thought they were really clinical and worked hard as a unit. They had a threat up front.
“When they went ahead, I don’t think they gave Rangers much opportunity to get back into the game.
“I’ve always said Hibs are a good team. They have a really good squad and signed a few players in the window.
All credit to them getting to another major final.
“All our games against Hibs are tight and close. We want to be better than we were against St Mirren and be a bit better in the final third than we were against Celtic.
“If we do that and work off a good shape, we’ll start scoring a few more goals.
“There were a few tired legs on Monday and Tuesday.
“The data for Saturday’s game was as high as it has been all season. Training has been really good since.
“I’m delighted because I know they’re back on it and ready to fight for three points on Saturday.”
Davidson also revealed that contract talks are ongoing with Ali Crawford, as well as other first-team players.
He added: “There are two or three ongoing just now and in the middle of negotiations.
“Hopefully we can get something tied up pretty soon for Ali. We obviously want him to stay.
“With David being out, he becomes even more of a key player. It’s up to Ali to go and perform.
“I think he has done really well in the games he’s come in.
“Now he needs to do it at a consistent level, score goals and create.”
With Kane out, it might be a chance for Eetu to show what he can do