St Johnstone flop Eetu Vertainen insists he’ll never get another look-in with Callum Davidson - even if he scores 35 goals this season.
The Finnish forward is in prolific form on loan for Linfield but says he’s got no future back at Saints. And he can’t figure out why Davidson brought him to Scotland in the first place.
Vertainen insists Davidson wants ‘older’ forwards to play and he never had a good feeling after moving to Scotland from Ilves Tampere in September 2021. The Finland U21 cap made only three starts and five sub outings for Saints.
The 23-year-old switched to Belfast and ex- Rangers striker David Healy’s team on loan midway through last season. Vertainen scored four goals in 10 games and helped Linfield to the top flight crown.
However, the promising loan failed to improve his standing at McDiarmid Park. Davidson swooped for Nicky Clark from Dundee United to form a first-choice partnership with Stevie May.
And Vertainen was sent back to Linfield the second and final year of his Perth deal. Vertainen said: “I knew that there would be no playing time under that coach this season either.
“So there was no point in sitting there on the bench. We made a joint decision and I left with pleasure. When I was there, he preferred to play older forwards, who played with one touch down and pushed hard towards the goal.
“I myself was different then and I liked the ball more than I should have. As long as the same coach is there, my situation with the club will be the same. So nothing has happened between us. I just don't think he thinks I'm a very good player, even if I score 35 goals a season. Here, there or in any league.
When asked if he knew why St Johnstone signed him, Vertainen, who has netted 17 times for Linfield in the current campaign said: “Actually, I'm not quite sure. The sporting director at the time really liked me. He had followed my moves to Klubi and Ilves. However, the team's head coach (Davidson) did not feel the same way.”
After getting a taste of loan life in Belfast last term, it was easy to return to Linfield for 2022/23. "In St Johnstone the feeling wasn't terribly good, which is why I wanted to go to a place where it's good to be,” he added.
“I received a really good reception in Linfield and I was immediately satisfied. The relationship with the coach and the whole club is good, and I have no complaints.
“Another club from Scotland or England would’ve been a risk, while at Linfield I knew I could play and make an impact. I have been satisfied with the solution. I consider it unlikely that I would return to St Johnstone, even if they offered an extension.”
Vertainen has been touted in his homeland for a call-up for Finland’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Denmark and, at Windsor Park, against Northern Ireland later this month. But he’s had no contact yet from coach Markku ‘Rive’ Kanerva.
“I haven't talked directly with Rive, and I don't know how he sees the situation,” he admitted. Of course, I would be ready. I know the call will come at some point, but I don't stress about how fast it will come.”
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