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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Matthew Gallagher

Callum Davidson "very grateful" for how St Johnstone fans have backed the team

Callum Davidson has hailed the St Johnstone support and is “grateful” for their vocal backing.

Perth fans were heard loud and clear during last weekend’s vital McDiarmid Park win against Hearts.

And now they are set to head up to the Highlands in large numbers on Saturday as Saints seek to reel-in 10th placed Ross County.

Tickets for the upcoming game against Hibs on March 5 have also been selling at speed, with a bumper crowd already pencilled in for the capital clash.

Davidson said: “We’ve seen the likes of Dundee United get booed off the pitch by their supporters at our place.

“The Kelty game was obviously horrendous for everybody. Since then our supporters have really got behind the team in every game.

“Their energy helped get us over the line on Saturday. I always say that it’s up to us to give them something to cheer about.

“We gave them energy in our performance – tackling, winning headers, taking throw-ins quickly - and they returned that.

“I’ve been here long enough to know how it works. It’s such a great help to know we’ve got them behind us and it’s something we’re very grateful of.

“We want the three points against Ross County to try and put pressure on them and other teams above us.”

Callum Hendry, meanwhile, has continued to impress Davidson since returning from his loan.

The Perth striker was called back to the club from Kilmarnock in January to aid the push for Premiership safety.

And he has since netted on three occasions but his all-round game has earned the plaudits of his boss.

Hendry’s contract is up at the end of the season and Davidson said: “All I’ll say regarding Callum is he’s got to keep doing what he’s doing.

“He’s linking the play, he’s winning his headers and he’s getting in the box.

“It might sound like stating the obvious about getting in the box but it’s a really basic principle of striker-play – but Callum’s doing that.

“His all-round game has always been good but myself and Steven MacLean wanted to get him scoring goals.

“He’s gone away on two different loans and come back with a fantastic attitude. He’s a really positive person in the dressing room.

“He’s got better at how he presses. His closing down of defenders is really helping the team.

“I enjoy seeing that side of the game – pressing and closing down space.

“Callum is starting that from the front, whether it’s up on his own or in a two.”

Davidson reckons the early-season loan move to Ayrshire was beneficial.

“It was definitely the right thing for him to do,” he said. “He’s played and scored goals.

“We’re hoping to keep the performance level and add another five or six goals before the end of the season.”

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