His double-winning players have been linked to Celtic, Rotherham United and more – but St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson says the cinch Premiership club have had ‘nothing serious’ in the form of player interest.
Ali McCann was scouted twice by Celtic during a stunning 2020/21 term in the centre of St Johnstone’s midfield. Captain Jason Kerr has been linked to the EFL, as has defensive partner Jamie McCart. Rotherham United have kept a lengthy pursuit of right-back Shaun Rooney going throughout the summer.
St Johnstone won an outstanding League Cup and Scottish Cup double last season, dethroning Celtic in both competitions. Davidson is looking to add to his squad – having signed James Brown, Reece Devine and Hayden Muller so far this summer – and there’s been little to suggest potential outgoings are near.
He said: “I am still looking to add a couple. We have had slight interest in players but nothing really serious. I am always looking and I will make sure to add a few. If we were to get any serious injuries I need to make sure there is money available to bring someone in.
“We are always looking and it is a hard time. Probably all managers say the same. It is a busy time as you have to fend off interest in your players while looking at other players too. It is always busy. I can’t question any of them. All my players have showed a really good attitude in pre-season. There has been a high intensity in training and games.
“There have been no signs of anybody dropping off. The lads all enjoy themselves and work really hard. This week has been no different. It’s been a good few days and we’re ready to go. If there were any offers made that were worthwhile for the club it would be something we’d have to consider but at the moment there’s been nothing.”
Rotherham have been persistent in their pursuit of Rooney, who scored the winning goal in both finals last season. Davidson hasn’t heard from Rotherham recently and Rooney is available for Saturday’s cinch Premiership opener at Ross County. Saints have a Europa League third round qualifier with Turkish giants Galatasaray to look forward to next month.
Davidson said: “I haven’t heard anything from them. As far as I am concerned Shaun is ready to go on Saturday. That will be the case for every game if there is no interest. I won’t even think about it. I will just make sure that they know if they perform well on the training pitch and games then they will play.
“It is up to Shaun now, so we will see what he does. Down south prices are probably inflated. All I know is that the players who played for me last year won two domestic trophies, which is a high standard. That’s their value to me.”
St Johnstone have been linked with Finnish striker Eetu Vertainen this week, who has 14 caps for his country. Jarkko Wiss – manager of Vertainen’s domestic club IIves – said the striker was boarding a flight to join a new club. Davidson signed striker Guy Melamed from Israel last year and says the foreign market appeals to him.
The Saints manager explained: “I do like a little bit of the unknown. But we have a work ethic with the Scottish players that is at a standard we can’t drop beneath. It’s something I’m comfortable with. Because I don’t have a big squad I can’t take too many gambles. Everybody who comes in has to hit the ground running.”
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