SURVIVAL INSTINCTS KICKING IN FOR DAVIDSON

ST JOHNSTONE manager Callum Davidson has challenged his side to complete a ‘phenomenal’ cinch Premiership survival mission by hauling themselves out of the bottom two. With four games to play, Saints are 11th, five points clear of last-placed Dundee and five points adrift of both Aberdeen and St Mirren, today’s opposition at McDiarmid Park. As things stand, they will have to enter the end-of-season play-offs to try to secure their top-flight survival but Davidson is adamant the Perth side — who endured a ten-game losing streak through the winter — can still catch teams above them and get themselves to safety. ‘The determination is to avoid the play-offs,’ said the Saints boss (right). ‘We want to get above that. That’s our aim. It will be an unbelievable achievement if we can get to tenth from where we were. We’re all striving to do it, and there’s a chance for us to do it, starting Saturday at 3pm. In terms of trying to finish tenth, this is probably a must-win.’ St Johnstone, who have lost just one game in their last five, are fuelled by the knowledge that a victory at home to struggling St Mirren would take them within two points of the Buddies. ‘The incentive is there,’ said Davidson. ‘First and foremost, it’s about staying away from 12th. That’s the biggest thing. Now it’s about trying to get points and catch teams above us. Can we put them under pressure? ‘That’s what this game on Saturday is about, trying to pick up as many points as we can and hopefully get another couple of wins which will put the teams above us under pressure.’ St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson has urged his players to take a huge stride towards safety by ending their eight-year winless run at McDiarmid Park. A win will move the Buddies eight points clear of the relegation play-off spot with just three games remaining. St Mirren, however, have a dire recent record in Perth as they have not won at McDiarmid Park since October 2014 and have not scored in their last seven visits. Robinson said: ‘We have to change that some time (record at McDiarmid Park). We go there and haven’t been on a good run of form, in terms of results, but we’ve had decent performances. It’s a big game for us and it gives us a chance to ease the pressure.’