David Wotherspoon has instantly shown “composure and class” on the pitch after returning from his horror knee injury.
The St Johnstone stalwart looked like he had never been away when coming on against Hibs last Friday night.
Wotherspoon’s close control and clever movement helped Saints turn the tide and earn an important win.
Now Perth boss Callum Davidson is sure his midfield creator can impress further ahead of hoping to make Canada’s World Cup squad. Teams heading for Qatar will soon be making their final selections for the global showpiece.
“It’s great to have him back involved,” Davidson said. “He’s already showing his composure and class.
“Hopefully with more game-time the Canadian manager will want to select him for the World Cup.
“The Canadian staff keep in touch with our medical team and David himself. They’ve been really good that way.
“It’s great for him to know they’re keeping an eye on how he’s doing. It’s a good sign.”
Davidson is keen for Saints to take many of the positives from the second half at Easter Road into tomorrow afternoon’s league match with Kilmarnock in Perth.
Davidson said: “There was a lot that improved from the first half against Hibs to the second half. It goes to show that when you pass the ball well and do the right things, you create chances and score goals.
“We need to do that again against Kilmarnock. We want to get ourselves in the final third as quickly as possible.
“I keep repeating myself but we’ve put two good crosses into the box on Friday night and scored off both of them.
“I want us being positive, taking chances and having shots. I don’t mind us making mistakes because we’re trying things higher up.”
Saints played Kilmarnock in the league earlier this month and put on a poor display in a deserved 2-1 defeat.
“Playing on an artificial surface is a different game to playing on grass,” Davidson explained. “It’s our home game and we’ve got to ask questions of them and make it a tough afternoon.
“Kilmarnock are a good team on a good run. Daniel Armstrong is one of the form players in the league. He’s one to watch but there are plenty of others.”
Davidson expects to be able to select from a strong pool of players tomorrow, with Graham Carey itching to get back involved.
“Graham coming back helps us,” said Davidson. “He sees things that a lot of players don’t and can open things up from deeper.”
“He was really coming into form before his injury and hopefully we can get him back to that level as quickly as possible.”
