Callum Davidson grateful for chairman's backing at St Johnstone

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson has thanked chairman Steve Brown for backing him and admits without a good relationship he could have been sacked by now.

Wednesday’s home draw with Dundee came after nine straight defeats and the Perth Saints find themselves at the bottom of the Premiership table and having been knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Kelty Hearts.

Davidson has come under pressure after the dismal run of results, which come in sharp contrast to last year’s cup double-winning season.

The manager said he was grateful for the support from the top of the club, and the financial backing to bring in a number of players in the transfer window to revamp the squad.

“I know not all managers would still be here,” he said. “Myself and the chairman have honest conversations about where we are and what we think, and he’s been absolutely fantastic. Both of us have a passion for the club and want to succeed.

“We lost our best players on the last day of the last transfer window but hopefully this turns out to be a much better window. There are a few players struggling with injury as well, so we need to make sure the squad is strong enough to cope with that.

“The chairman is obviously supporting me and my staff and wants us to do well, so that’s good news. I think you can see with the players we’re trying to bring in that he is backing me. He believes we’re doing the right thing.

“It’s important to have a strong relationship with your chairman otherwise I probably wouldn’t be sitting here speaking to you just now.”

Melker Hallberg is the latest recruit, joining the club after leaving Hibs. Ali Crawford has signed a permanent deal after spending the first half of the season on loan from Bolton, while Daniel Cleary has been signed from Dundalk.

Left-back Tony Gallacher has arrived from Liverpool and John Mahon has been recruited from Sligo Rovers.

Nadir Ciftci has returned to Scottish football after being signed from MKE Ankaragucu, while Cammy MacPherson has made his move from St Mirren permanent.

Davidson knows that results will have to improve but also believes he is better equipped as a manager having learned from the difficult spell the team is going through.

“It’s the biggest challenge I’ve faced in my football career, without a doubt,” he said.

“I find it difficult when we’re not getting results. I’m going through every little thing to try and work out how to make us better.

“My wife will tell you I’m an absolute nightmare at the moment, sitting at home on my laptop watching games of football, watching players and having no social skills whatsoever.

“But I’m probably a better manager now than I was six months ago, and that’s my honest opinion. We had a tough time last season and came through it to do something incredible.

“We started this season well, especially in Europe, and we’ve obviously had this dip but I’ve learned a lot about how to deal with certain things and I believe I’m a better manager for it.

“Hopefully the results can get better and we go onwards and upwards.”