"Sheer relief" as St Johnstone fans bond with players again for long delayed celebration on emotional night at McDiarmid Park

There was a feeling that Callum Davidson had allowed himself to be carried away by emotion when he declared, on more than one occasion on Monday night, that securing Premiership survival with a play-off win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle was a better achievement than winning two major trophies.

No one can argue he is not in the position to judge. He has been at the helm for both of these extremes. How St Johnstone went from being only the fourth club in Scottish football history to win both major knockout cups in a single season to scrapping to save their top-flight skin 12 months later cause puzzlement for a long time to come.

There will be a post mortem. The manager stressed such a scenario cannot be allowed to happen again and it’s certain he will be preparing to sit down with chairman Steve Brown to ensure that it doesn’t. Davidson's own future - which was a matter of debate as recently as 8.30pm on Monday - seems secure again.

The fans, players and Davidson himself were entitled to enjoy the occasion after St Johnstone finally turned on the style. The final 45 minutes of the campaign were as well as they have played all season as they swept Inverness away after an uncomfortable opening half.

“That’ll be Cove Rangers away next season then,” one fan reported overhearing at half-time in the toilets in the East Stand. St Johnstone’s Premiership future appeared to be in serious doubt after a stay of 12 seasons. Inverness were the more menacing team.

The mood of home supporters did not improve when they returned to their seats to learn that Glenn Middleton had been replaced by Stevie May, the Scottish Cup hero from 2014. Injury has taken its toll on the striker. It seemed he was slowly fading from the scene at