Sunday Mail (UK)

Nothing will change how proud I feel

- ■ Gordon Parks

Callum Davidson insists S t Joh ns tone w i l l celebrate a season beyond his dreams regardless of what happens against Rangers today.

The Perth boss will lead his side to Ibrox for a Scottish Cup quarter-final clash with a top-six finish and the League Cup already secured.

It has been a maiden campaign of success for the former Scotland defender. And he feels all the pressure will be on Steven Gerrard’s men as they bid for Double glory.

Davidson said: “This season has exceeded my expectatio­ns.

“No mat ter what happens today it has been a phenomenal season.

“For the club itself to win a trophy has been fantastic – it’s just a pity we can’t share it with our supporters.

“We want to try to give Rangers a real scare and put pressure on them.

“I don’t think the pressure is off us because, as a group, we want to do really well and we want to win the trophy.

“But it is a game where Rangers are expected to win – so we have nothing to lose going into it.

“All I ask of the players is to be really brave.

“What they have done so far with the League Cup win has been really brave.

“They try to play with a positive mind set and hopefully we do the same on Sunday.”

A 1-1 draw in midweek in the league provided something of a dress rehearsal for tonight.

But Dav id s on is adamant that Gerrard shouldn’t bother trying to second guess his team

selection for this clash. He said: “I wouldn’t say I played my strongest team in midweek.

“When you look at the Motherwell game before the cup final I made three or four changes.

“I am always willing to make changes and I believe in the 17 or 18 outfield players I have and the goalkeeper­s.

“I believe in whatever team I pick or choose. I try to pick a team that will win the game.

“I know Rangers will probably play slightly differentl­y this time.

“They played a different formation against us on Wednesday.

“I don’t know but I imagine Gerrard wi l l bring back two or three players that will suit a different formation. We will look at that.

“I want to win the game, but I have the possibilit­y of making a couple of changes too.”

Davidson also revealed the club are close to agreeing a deal to keep striker Stevie May at McDiarmid Park.

He said: “Stevie is virtual ly there so I’m hoping over the next couple of days we will have some really good news.

“He has been a massive part of St Johnstone’s history and I wi l l be delighted to get him tied up for next season.”

 ??  ?? DAVIDSON success
DAVIDSON success

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