We’re ready to dig deep against St Johnstone champions v Celtic
Callum Davidson rolled up the sleeves and shovelled masses of snow to ensure training went ahead this week.
Now the St Johnstone manager would love to watch his side dig out three points against Celtic at McDiarmid Park on Sunday.
Heavy snow on Tuesday blanketed Perth and had raised concerns whether the following day’s session would be able to take place.
But the shovels were soon located and a number of club staff chipped in with the clearing mission.
Groundsman Chris Smith and assistant Jordan Thomson orchestrated events but boss Davidson was not shy in getting stuck in.
He said: “We grabbed some shovels and cleared a big enough area to train on.
“We managed to sort out about a 30-yard by 50-yard part of the pitch.
“There was myself, Alec (Cleland), Macca (Steven MacLean) and Bod (Alex Headrick). And Roddy (Grant) joined in as well. Chris the groundsman kept us right.
“It was actually quite enjoyable – very therapeutic!
“If you want to get a good training session you’ve got to get it done.
“The Astroturf has actually been quite playable because the snow has insulated it.”
On Celtic, Davidson added: “They have changed their formation and seem to have settled on a diamond in the middle of the park.
“That is something we have to look at and decide how to adapt. They have very good players.
“But hopefully we can get the formation right to give us a platform to build on.”
A solid defensive performance will be required and Saints are wellplaced in that sense.
Davidson has been impressed with how his rearguard have been performing in both boxes and had words of praise for Jamie McCart.
He said: “Jamie brings good balance on the left side but he is a very good defender, first and foremost.
“I don’t think people realise how good a defender he is. Jamie works extremely hard but he is very good on the ball and can step in and play.
“That’s something we have been getting him to do more of this season.
“He is defending his box really well. All three of them – Jamie, Liam and Jason – have and that is really important to us.
“They have to continue that because it is one of the main reasons we have started to get results.”
Two Saints players currently not in action due to the suspension of the lower leagues are Cammy Ballantyne and Olly Hamilton.
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant their loan spells at Montrose and Cowdenbeath respectively are on ice for the time being.
“For Cammy and Olly, it’s a really difficult one. If it wasn’t for COVID, they would obviously just come back and train full time with us. But you increase the chance and risk of people catching it in our bubble.” who he is playing.”
Saints held Celtic to a 1-1 draw at Parkhead earlier this season and were unlucky not to come away with more.
“Our recent games against Celtic have been a bit better and we’ve taken confidence,” Kerr said.
“We gave Rangers a really good game recently and then went and beat Livingston. So we are taking confidence from that.
“We’re looking for all three points on Sunday because we want to get up the league and fight for sixth place.
“You need to look at every home game as a great opportunity for three points.
“Celtic keep possession of the ball so you can’t go for it too much at times. You need to maybe play it a bit more tactically.
“But we’ll have a good game-plan and hopefully the fans watching will enjoy it.”
While this weekend’s visitors trail Rangers by 18 points in the title chase, Kerr says you never get an easy game against them.
He added: “Celtic’s form has been a little more patchy but I wouldn’t say there is ever a good time to play them.
“They are always a really good team and will be wanting to try and put pressure on Rangers.”