Callum pays tribute as he heads south

As we made known yesterday, Callum Davidson has left the club ahead of taking up a coaching role with Stoke City.

The English Championship side recently appointed Gary Rowett as their new manager and charged him with the task of getting the Potters back into the Premier League at the first time of asking and with Callum being a former teammate – they had two seasons together at Leicester City - the Saints’ Assistant Manager was very much on his radar as he looked to build a coaching team at the bet365 Stadium.

An approach was made to Saints a couple of weeks ago with Callum set to take up his new role – bringing his second period of time with the club to an end.

Speaking to the Saints Official Website, Callum has paid tribute to everyone at McDiarmid Park.

“First and foremost I have to thank Tommy (Wright)” says Callum.

“I was still a player when he and Steve Lomas took over and he was great for me and since he put his faith in me by making me his assistant when he stepped up to be manager he’s been absolutely first class and I have a great deal to thank him for.

“Leaving Saints has not been the easy decision to make that some may. I’ve had to think long and hard but Stoke are a great club and I feel I can help Gary and the team. From a personal point of view it gives me the chance to work in a different environment and with different types of players which will increase my knowledge of the game in England and hopefully improve me as a coach.”

Of course, Callum’s connection with Saints goes back to the 1990s when he was a young player before a big-money move to Blackburn Rovers allowed him to fulfil his potential and gain 26 Scotland caps.

The return to Perth as a player was a natural move for him at the time and allowed him to make the transition from player to coach – his progress with the latter seeing him involved in Gordon Strachan’s Scotland international set-up.

Callum says “Anyone who knows me will be aware how much Saints means to me. It was my starting point in football and I’ve always just been down the road from the club.

“Everyone at the club has been brilliant for me and I must make mentioned of the Chairman, the other backroom staff and the players – they’ve all been a huge help to me and I sincerely thank them.”

When it comes to highlights of his Saints coaching career there’s an obvious one to mention although Callum also highlights more general success.

“Listen, the buzz I got the day we won the Scottish Cup will not be bettered in my career – no chance.

“But what became the regular involvement in Europe was also huge for me. Nobody at Saints can take that for granted – the buzz of returning to training early because you’re involved in Europe and the trips we’ve had plus some great moments at McDiarmid Park – great, great memories and I hope the success can continue.

“But I have to return to Tommy – to work with him and learn from him and achieve the success we did over five years was phenomenal for me. He’s an unbelievably good manager and I thank him.”