IMMORTAL SAINTS after sweeping up Cup double
Gaffer Davidson and his Perth men go down in history
Giving him the freedom of Perth doesn’t seem enough.
The keys to Scone Palace? A stand in his name at McDiarmid Park? At the very least, surely a new 20-year contract?
St Johnstone chairman Steve Brown should just give him whatever he wants.
Because for Callum Davidson, Saints and their supporters, it doesn’t get better than this.
Back in August, achieving a top-six spot in the league and a decent cup run would have equalled a successful season.
Winning one trophy with a provincial club rightly earns you legendary status.
But two in the same campaign? That makes you immortal.
Davidson had already carved his name in St Johnstone history as a player then as assistant boss when they lifted the Scottish Cup in 2014. After getting his hands on it again, plus their League Cup triumph in February, he’s now their greatest EVER gaffer.
And it will take something special to surpass him.
His team of homegrown youngsters, age-old veterans and guys let go by other clubs, defied the odds again yesterday.
Shaun Rooney, now a modernday legend himself, headed home their winning goal – just like he did in the Betfred Cup Final three months ago.
They could even afford to miss a late penalty, with Glenn Middleton’s spot-kick saved by Hibs keeper Matt Macey.
For the Easter Road side, it was a day of major disappointment. When they really needed a performance, their big players failed to deliver.
Apart from Jackson Irvine’s first- half chance, they barely tested Zander Clark in the Saints goal all afternoon.
Huge flames of fire greeted the teams as they emerged from the Hampden tunnel before kick-off.
But everyone involved – especially Saints – would have given anything to have fans there instead.
Make no mistake, this was no ordinary cup final day.
Without fans, there was no colour, no atmosphere.
No sense of anticipation that you normally associate with this day. Even the sun was struggling to peek its head through the Mount Florida clouds.
It was surreal for everyone lucky enough to be at Hampden.
But somehow both sides had to blank it out and lift themselves for the biggest game of their lives.
The clubs have been Scottish Cup winners in the recent past, with Hibs lifting the trophy in 2016 and Saints two years before.
But only a handful of players from those glory days were back looking for a dream repeat.
Davidson’s biggest call was who played off Chris Kane up front. Guy Melamed and Stevie May were both vying for a spot but he opted for on- loan Rangers kid Middleton, who was rewarded for his semi- f inal heroics against St Mirren.
For Jack Ross, there were decisions to make in goal and at centre- back with Macey and
Ryan Porteous getting the nod over Ofir Marciano and Darren McGregor respectively.
Ahead of that, he stuck with the same 4- 4-2 formation that got the better of Dundee United in the last-four, with Irvine in an unfamiliar wide-left position.
The start of the match was understandably tentative.
The sides seemed scared to go behind, rather than showing courage to go for goal.
Chances were limited. Kane got in after a clever Saints’ throwin but got under his shot and blasted over the bar.
Then Middleton drove at Hibs’ defence on a counter-attack but his effort was saved by Macey.
Saints’ defence hadn’t been properly tested before Irvine was presented with the best opportunity of the half so far.
Christian Doidge laid a cross off to Joe Newell and he bundled his way into the box. The ball
broke kindly for the Aussie, oneon- one with Zander Clark, but the big keeper won the duel, saving brilliantly with his legs.
Four minutes later, Hibs paid the ultimate price at the other end for the chance squandered.
Young full-back Josh Doig has been lauded for his performances this season, winning the SFWA Young Player of the Year.
But even before kick- off you feared he might be outmuscled by Rooney at the back post if Saints got their delivery right.
Former Hibs man David Wotherspoon, whose trademark chop on the left nearly sent Alex Gogic out of the stadium, whipped in a wonder cross.
It was begging to be put in by Rooney and he didn’t disappoint as he outjumped Doig to power a header past Macey.
Davidson wheeled away in delight on the touchline, knowing that once this St Johnstone team got their noses in front, they’d be difficult to peg back.
Hibs had to react in the second half – and Kevin Nisbet fizzed a shot past the post to signal their intent. But they also had to be wary of a Saints breakaway and almost got done by Middleton’s pace again.
Only a superb Newell tackle prevented him from getting a strike away in the box.
And the midfielder somehow got his heel on Rooney’s rebound to deflect it wide.
Hibs were poor, there’s no getting away from it. They showed nothing like the type of form they’ve been renowned for in the Premiership this season.
And their front three of Nisbet, Doidge and Martin Boyle had been successfully nullified by Saints’ backline.
The game and the trophy should have been wrapped up with 15 minutes left. Porteous’ mistake was pounced upon by Kane who was upended in the box by Paul McGinn.
It was a certain penalty and with regular taker Liam Craig on the bench, Middleton stepped up to take it.
But ex- Arsenal keeper Macey made a stunning double stop, saving the winger’s spot- kick then K a ne’s follow-up as well.
That was a lifeline for Hibs but they fa i led to g rab hold of it.
They huffed and puffed but couldn’t get past a rock- solid Saints de fence constructed magnificently by
Davidson.