SAINTS & WINNERS
St Johnstone lift Betfred Cup
CALLUM DAVIDSON last night told St Johnstone’s Betfred Cup heroes to get ready to drink Perth dry – even if they need to wait until the summer to do it.
The emotional Saints boss is determined to mark their first ever League Cup success with a celebration for the
whole of the city once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted enough to allow it.
Shaun Rooney’s first-half header secured the trophy against Livingston inside an empty Hampden yesterday afternoon.
And Davidson told his stars to hang on a little longer when asked if he was going to crack open the champagne.
He said: “No, we can’t. It is just one of those things. The players will just have to realise that it is the way it is just now.
“Hopefully we can get something in June when Covid starts to clear and they allow gatherings and we can celebrate with people back in Perth.
“It is really important we do it because you do not win trophies very often – 137 years for St Johnstone to win this one so we need to make sure we celebrate properly. “
The former Scotland defender admits it’ll take time for his first success as a boss to sink in – and he’s unsure where the triumph sits amongst a career of playing highlights.
He said: “It’s funny, I was asked that before the final and I didn’t know how to answer it. I’m probably a bit emotional.
“It’s one of those achievements I’ll probably look back on in 10 years’ time and realise how special it was.
“It’s disappointing the supporters from Perth are not here to enjoy the occasion and make it even more special but it means just as much to me just now and to my family and friends and everyone involved downstairs.
“I genuinely don’t know, I’m not an emotional person. I’m pretty level.
“I think it’s just the achievement and seeing the joy on the players’ faces and the backroom staff and the people upstairs and the board, everyone involved in the club.
“That’s when it hits home that it means so much to them as well.
“I’m out on the forefront working hard as the face of it but I have six or seven backroom staff working unbelievably hard and I know how much it meant to them.
“Maybe that’s what makes it emotional for me.”
A game of few flashpoints or chances was just about edged by Saints and Davidson insists the final was a real battle from start to finish.
He said: “It was a tough game. The first half was a lot of free-kicks and long balls to deal with, a really tough game physically.
“I thought we matched them and we got the goal.
“For 20 minutes in the second half I thought we were good.
“The only concerning point was when we were on top we didn’t score.
“I thought we managed to see the game out pretty well.
“Livingston are a really good team, they work extremely hard and they make it difficult for you to play. I’m delighted to get over the line.”