St Johnstone v St Mirren THE ONLY WAY IS UP Davidson hoping to enter break in style
Premiership,P tomorrow, kick-off 3pm
Callum Davidson is targeting a surge up the table to send St Johnstone into the international break in high spirits.
Saints could potentially leap up a few places in the standings with victory against St Mirren at McDiarmid Park tomorrow.
The Perth side currently sit ninth on the back of two productive results at home to Hearts and then away to Dundee United.
“A win would put us in a good position in the table going into the break,” boss Davidson told the PA this week.
“It’s pointless toughing out a victory like the one we got at Tannadice and then not put that same effort and a good performance in when we come back to McDiarmid.
“This is a big game for us. I’ve always said this will be one of the toughest leagues for years but we’re definitely up for the fight.
“The biggest disappointment in the Livingston game here was we didn’t start well. That’s very important for me – start fast and put the opposition under pressure. We did that against Hearts and Dundee United .”
Davidson, while happy with Saints’ fourpoint haul from the previous two fixtures, sees plenty of opportunity for improvement.
The clean sheet against United was pleasing and Davidson said: “That was good but I think we can still do better in certain areas. We can still defend better.
“Sometimes we were guilty of trying to dribble out of the box.
“We allowed United to get crosses into our penalty area too easily. That’s something we have looked at and are looking to rectify.”
The St Mirren test represents Saints’ last competitive fixture before the League Cup semi-final against Celtic at Hampden on November 20. So there also comes an importance in putting on a performance this weekend to ensure confidence levels are at optimum level.
“You don’t normally come back for a semi-final after two weeks off,” Davidson admitted.
“Hopefully most of the Celtic lads are away on international duty and don’t get back until the Thursday! Last season there was only a few weeks between the quarterfinal, semi-final and final of the Scottish Cup.
“The games came thick and fast and that suited us. It will be a big gap this time.
“What it does do is make it that bit easier to keep the players motivated, even when there’s not a game to prepare for on the Saturday. They’ll know there’s a big game round the corner and will be training hard.”
On the injury front, Lars Dendoncker and Murray Davidson are fit and raring to go while Liam Craig returns from suspension.
Shaun Rooney is making good progress with his ankle problem and Canadian international David Wotherspoon is also progressing nicely. It will be a last-gasp call whether he plays against the Buddies.