Boss looks to future with strike prospect

Mylchreest in first team taster

Callum Davidson hopes to get talented young striker Jackson Mylchreest on the first team pitch before the end of the season.

The 16-year-old has been impressing for the club’s under-18 side and played a key role in their Scottish Youth Cup semi-final run.

Mylchreest’s form was rewarded last Saturday when, for the first time in a Scottish Premiership fixture, he was included in the matchday squad.

He proudly took his place on the bench for the Mcdiarmid Park game against Aberdeen which Saints went on to lose 1-0.

While Mylchreest did not enter the action on this occasion, Perth boss Davidson is keen to get the striker involved in the near future.

Davidson told the PA: “Jackson has scored 20 goals for the under-18s so he’s deserved to take his space on the bench.

“He’s been producing the goods so it’s good to get him involved on a matchday.

“He’s got a lot of work to go to get to the level we need him to be, but we’ll hopefully get him on at some stage before the end of the season.”

Davidson, highlighting the kind of player Mylchreest is, likened the way he plays – certainly in some aspects of his game – to former forward Callum Hendry.

Hendry left Saints last summer to join Salford City and is enjoying a productive time.

“Ability-wise, he’s got a lot of the characteristics a young Callum Hendry had so hopefully he can kick on,” Davidson said.

“He’s still only 16 so is one for the future and will benefit from being in the first-team environment.

“Getting a taste of it will be good for him and will also energise the rest of the under-18s because they know what’s possible.”

Davidson is challenging Mylchreest to keep up his form.

He said: “Hopefully Jackson will continue scoring goals for the U18s and keep earning a place in the squad.”

At the other end of the footballing scale, Davidson praised the performance of returning defender Ryan Mcgowan following last Saturday’s home defeat against Aberdeen.

“Ryan had one friendly against St Mirren so to come back in and play the way he did was superb,” Davidson said.

“He showed what he brings to our team and the versatility he adds to the squad is massive for me as the manager.

“He can play on the right in a two, in a three, right-back and in the middle of the park – so he adds so much to the group.

“I thought he handled Duk really well and when we have the ball he steps out to help further up the pitch as well.

“For him to be ruled out with a torn groin 10 weeks ago and be back is incredible and hopefully he’ll have a strong end to the season.”