The Scotsman

Davidson has taste for success at Saints as he looks forward to European challenge

-

St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson admits he has banked enough memories this year to last a lifetime – but that will not stop him striving for more.

The 44-year-old is still buzzing on the afterglow of his side's sensationa­l Scottish Cup and Betfred Cup double.

But Davidson is now turning his attention to next season as he aims to back up this term's surprise achievemen­ts.

"I'll go back again and I'll want to win the next game we play," Davidson told Sky Sports News. "My focus is already shifting towards pre-season and the European ties.

"You just do the best you can do and hopefully you get seasons like this. If we don't get another season like this, it will probably be my greatest memory."

Davidson fears Saints will now face a battle to keep hold of the key men who have ensured the club joins an elite list of just four Scottish clubs to have won both domestic cup competitio­ns in the same season.

A watertight three-man backline of Jason Kerr, Liam

Gordon and Jamie Mccart have played vital roles in the double run to Hampden.

Midfielder Ali Mccann is also attracting attention having broken into the Northern Ireland squad while wingback Shaun Rooney is now a Perth hero after scoring the winner in both finals.

Davidson remembers predecesso­r Tommy Wright having to stare down interest in the likes of Stevie May and Michael O'halloran after the club won the Scottish Cup for the first time back in 2014.

And he is ready to do the same. "That's the biggest concern," he confessed. "In the summer of 2014 we got quite a lot of interest in players and rightly so, they deserved it - all the praise, all the plaudits, all the interest.

"So probably the biggest challenge next season is getting a squad together again, we might lose a few. We'll need to work really hard.

"Players like Glenn Middleton (on loan from Rangers) have really enjoyed coming in and being part of a success story. That shows the younger players, the ones who want to come and achieve and play games of football, this is a great place to play."

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom