CALLUM DAVIDSON has admitted that the postponement of fans returning to stadiums across Scotland could make it “difficult” for him to add more firepower to his St Johnstone squad.
Scottish football supporters were dealt a blow on Tuesday as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pushed back the phased return of crowds due a sharp rise in coronavirus cases across the country.
The initial date pencilled in for stadiums to open their doors again was September 14, but now it looks unlikely that spectators will take in any form of Scottish Premiership action before the turn of the year.
Despite Saints not having the biggest support in the country, their loyal band of followers have brought in key revenue for the club to function over the years.
But with the McDiarmid Park stands expected to lay bare for the foreseeable future, Perth boss Davidson has told how is transfer funds could suffer as a result.
“We’re always working. The news about no fans is going to make it quite difficult,” he told Herald and Times Sport.
“There are obvious financial implications across the whole of football – especially at smaller clubs like ourselves. We’ll find it hard.
“We just need to make sure the club lives within its means and is still there come the end of the Covid era.
“It’s important that you don’t over-spend. The last thing you want is players not getting paid and wages being deferred.
“One thing about St Johnstone – we may be a smaller club with a tight squad, but everybody gets paid and we’re all very grateful for that.
“The chairman understands the game and the financial side of it. This are strange times and you just have to roll with them.”
One man who Saints have added to their ranks in recent weeks is former Aberdeen and Derby County midfielder Craig Bryson.
The one-time Scotland international penned a deal until the end of the season with the McDiarmid Park side, but missed the visit of Ross County on Saturday due to illness.
Davidson welcomed the 33-year-old back to training today and explained how he is in contention for Saints’ trip to Livingston this weekend.
Davidson continued: “He wasn’t well at the start of the week. He’s nearly there, so he will probably be 50/50 for Saturday.
“With a wee bit if illness at the start of the week we couldn’t take any chances. He’s a fit lad, I think if you know him and you see him play, he’s a very fit lad.
“He’s like a Murray Davidson who doesn’t need much training to be back involved in games.”
Saints faced Hibs in a bounce game on Tuesday in a bid to give some valuable minutes to those who are in the process of returning to full fitness.
Davidson added: “We played Hibs yesterday, Zander [Clark], Murray [Davidson], Kano [Chris Kane] all came through the game well.
“It was a real positive for me to get them another 90 minutes again. It will put them all in contention for Saturday.”
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