Game drought over

real impact. The knowledge he’s got and the ideas he’s putting across have really impressed the lads. We believe that with the squad we’ve got we can keep things going the way they have been.

“It’s a great bunch of lads here, we won’t be talking about our targets – the main one being getting off to a better start than last year!

“I think as a group we have learned a lot from that experience because we were cut a little bit adrift at the start of December but fought our way out of it.

“That takes character because it’s not easy when you are on a run like that.

“What you saw on Saturday was a continuation of how we ended the season, we got off to a bad start but we dug in there and got a point.”

Parish believes the Tayside derby showed the absence of supporters in the stands won’t dilute the Premiership product on the pitch.

“It’s odd when there are no fans,” he reflected.

“It has the feel of a bounce game but you know what’s at stake. It’s a step into the unknown for everyone.

“We have all played in pre-season games and bounce games before with no fans but these are real league matches.

“The motivation comes from within and we all have to motivate ourselves and each other to make sure it’s at the right levels. I thought the intensity was there for us at the weekend. It felt like playing in a proper game. There were tackles going in and it was played at a tempo.”

Davidson has given Parish the incentive of challenging Clark for a start when both men are available.

“Elliot looked solid and I was delighted for him,” said the Perth boss.

“He’s not played for a long time, which is difficult, but he started well and making a save in the first half really helped him.

“He’ll have the opportunity now to have a run of games and it’s up to him to put pressure on Zander when he’s back fit again.”

Pictures: PPA. Elliot Parish, left, was handed his Premiership debut a year after signing for Saints following an injury to Perth glove rival Zander Clark, above left.