Callum Davidson wants fans back onside for Saints’ showdown with Rangers (Picture: SNS)
St Johnstone boss Callum Davidson has urged furious fans not to boycott Saints’ home Scottish Cup tie against Rangers amid a ticket allocation row – pleading he ‘would love’ them to get behind the team.
Saints were subject to a fans’ backlash for their controversial decision to give up three stands at McDiarmid Park to Gers supporters for the Scottish Cup fourth-round tie, while charging £30 for adult tickets.
Reportedly only around 300 tickets have been sold to home supporters and chairman Steve Brown noted the disgruntlement of fans, saying: ‘On reflection, the club accepts that certain criticisms levelled against the decisions have merit.’
Davidson, who guided Saints to a Scottish Cup final triumph over Hibernian in 2021, beating Rangers at Ibrox on the way, said: ‘I spoke with the chairman on Monday and he is flat about the whole thing.
‘Creating this level of anger and frustration is something he obviously didn’t want.
‘I understand the fans. I played at McDiarmid Park, I have been assistant manager and manager and the backing they gave us, especially last season, was fantastic.
‘We don’t want to create a divide. In hindsight, yes, maybe we could have done things differently.
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‘But for me, the biggest thing now, I know people are saying boycotting the game but for me as a manager, I would love fans to come and support the team.’
Brown added: ‘The seating arrangements and pricing for the Scottish Cup tie against Rangers has been met with a huge amount of negativity and hostility from a number of our valued fans. The club has endeavoured to respond and is aware of the views of fans.
‘The decisions made in respect of this cup tie were taken with the best interests of the club at heart. However, we totally understand the frustration our supporters feel and their level of disappointment.
‘While we hope to see as many of our supporters as possible inside McDiarmid Park, we respect our supporters who choose not to attend on this occasion.’
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‘Maybe we could have done things differently.’
