St Johnstone survival would rank alongside double glory for boss Callum Davidson

St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson claims avoiding relegation this season would match their double cup triumph given the challenges they have faced.

The Saints boss believes there is an understanding throughout the club of the issues that have hampered their attempts to build on last season’s Hampden glory.

Davidson is preparing to face an Aberdeen team who saw manager Stephen Glass sacked on Sunday in the wake of their Scottish Cup exit at Motherwell.

The former full-back survived his club’s shock cup defeat by Kelty Hearts as chairman Steve Brown backed him in the transfer market amid a campaign undermined by injury and the sale of key players Jason Kerr and Ali McCann in the final hours of the August window.

Saints have had more obstacles to contend with in recent weeks, including losing Chris Kane to a knee injury for the rest of the season and seeing Cammy MacPherson suffer another dislocated shoulder.

Davidson also felt his side were on the end of a very harsh red card and penalty award in their past two games, a draw with Dundee United and 2-1 defeat by St Mirren.

But the Saints boss appreciates as much as anyone at the moment that football management is a precarious business.

With his team bottom of the cinch Premiership ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Pittodrie, Davidson said: “With the pressure I am obviously under now myself, it’s always sad to see a fellow manager go.

“I played with Stephen in the under-21s and know him well. I know he’s a very good coach.

“But unfortunately that’s the business we are in. It’s really disappointing he has lost his job, more as a friend and someone I spoke to over the time.

“That’s our job. I’ve got enough to worry about at the moment in my place. I just need to make sure I start