Form surge can help key players remain in Perth – Davidson

St Johnstone’s impressive form since the turn of the calendar year has earned the Perth club a place in a cup final and eased fears about a Premiership relegation battle.

And manager Callum Davidson also believes Saints will reap longer term rewards off the back of their January and February revival.

The process of extending the contracts of players who have been part of a side which has won four games in six is under way, with Liam Gordon and David Wotherspoon having already put pen to paper.

Davidson expects the McDiarmid Park feelgood factor to have a positive impact when it comes to contract negotiations with others among the group of 10 who will be free agents in the summer.

“The good results give me the opportunity to try and nail down most of my squad,” he said.

“Hopefully we get deals done pretty soon. You never know what players’ ambitions may be. Some might not be happy with not getting enough game-time.

“It’s a good, strong squad but I think that every player knows that I trust them to play.

“That is a big thing for them. I trust all of them no matter who comes in to play and we’ve seen it all season.”

Davidson has certainly backed up that talk of “trust” with his team selections.

“There are a lot of players who have been good and that makes it difficult,” he said.

“Chris Kane has performed to a really high level and we’ve been left with no choice but to keep him in the team.

“Look at Liam Craig on Saturday. He hadn’t started for four or five games, but came in and produced the goods for me. It’s a real good balance in the squad and hopefully we’ll get most tied up soon.”

It took until 2021 for Saints’ results to improve but Davidson has traced the resurgence further back than that.

“It’s been brilliant since Aberdeen on Boxing Day,” he reflected.

“It’s a strange one because for me we’re not playing as well but are picking up really good results. On Saturday I thought the players were superb with their combative play and how they coped with Livingston.

“We got goals at really good times which helps. We’re doing better in both boxes – from setplays and defending crosses.

“I still think we can do better on the ball at times and be more clinical. But we limited Livingston to very few chances.”

Chris Kane’s recent performances have ensured his place in the team as Saints’ form surge continues.