ST JOHNSTONE LET’S JUST FOCUS ON LEAGUE... FOR NOW

Murray stresses importance of four games before cup final

Murray Davidson realises that cup final excitement must be parked for now. But he knows the importance of building momentum across the next four games heading into it.

Davidson, following Wednesday’s 0-0 stalemate with Aberdeen, is keen to spark a winning run before the club’s date with destiny.

That can be kick-started on Saturday when the Perth squad makes the trip down to Ayrshire for a face-off with Kilmarnock.

“Especially going into a cup final, you want to build momentum,” Davidson said. “We also want to start pushing up the league.

“There are four important games before the final. The cup final game itself is the last thing on our minds at the moment.

“But getting there has given the place a lift. You see that in training and it’s natural.

“People will be fighting for jerseys. You want to play in every game.

“There is another big game for us on Saturday and everyone will be fighting to try and start down at Kilmarnock. We’ve played them a couple of times this year and we managed to score late on at McDiarmid Park.

“They are well organised on the astroturf. If we play well, we know we can be a threat.”

The buzz of the cup semi-final triumph was great on Saturday night, said Davidson. His phone was inundated with messages.

There was a hope in the Perth camp that the sublime second half performance against Hibs could carry into Wednesday’s Dons fixture.

While that proved not to be the case, Davidson insists a point against the men from the northeast can never be sniffed at.

“There was the high of Saturday,” he told the Perthshire Advertiser.

“You get home and are on such a high and there are so many people messaging you.

“But we were back in on Monday with all attention turned to Aberdeen in the league.

“We felt good going into the game and you just wanted to get back out there.

“We’re just slightly disappointed that we didn’t win it, but overall it’s a hard-fought point. It wasn’t a classic.

“The two teams cancelled each other out and there were very few chances.

“I thought second half we were a lot better. In the first half we were a bit slow on the press and didn’t have enough energy over the pitch.

“We looked more of a threat going forward after the break but, in the end, I don’t think anyone can argue. A draw is a fair result.

“It’s another clean sheet and now three in a row. It could be a big point come the end of the season.”

Glancing down on the teamsheet pre-match, manager Callum Davidson was able to name a strong bench.

That was aided by the loan signing of Rangers winger Glenn Middleton who, with 10 minutes remaining, trotted on for his Saints debut (left).

“Glenn will give us something different,” said midfielder Davidson. “He gives us pace on the left side.

“It’s another extra place for competition. You look at the bench on Wednesday night and it’s probably the strongest it’s been in a while.

“On paper it looks like a good signing for us.

“He’ll be looking to play games and be an asset, which I’m sure he will because we all know the ability he has got.”