EVEN the best soothsayer may struggle to second guess Aberdeen’s starting line-up at St Johnstone.

Derek McInnes’ side travel to Perth for their first match since eight Pittodrie players were sent into self-isolation following an unofficial night out in the city centre.

Six of those will be available for selection at McDiarmid Park after serving their 14 days of lockdown, but it remains a mystery whether their manager will opt to utilise them in his match plans.

Callum Davidson was frustrated after the wrongdoing of the Aberdeen player’s forced his first home encounter as St Johnstone boss to be postponed.

But now 13 days after the game was pushed back, the Perth manager is fired-up for kick-off and he expects his team to be ready no matter what side his opposition counterpart decides to field.

Asked if he expects many of the eight to return, Davidson said: “I have no idea. That will be down to Derek and his thinking whether they play or not and the fitness levels of them all. It’ll be a second guess for me so all I can do really is concentrate on my team. 

“I need to set my team up the way I want to and make sure they perform to their highest levels.

 “It’s a hard one but we’ll look more towards how Derek’s team plays. They will be up for the game and will obviously want to prove a point to their manager. 

“I know what type of team he’ll play and the type of energy they will play with regardless of whether they haven’t had a game recently or not. 

“Aberdeen have been excellent for the last seven years under Derek and we know they will be high tempo and have quality so we must make sure we match all that first and foremost.”

Aberdeen and St Johnstone have a history of feisty clashes in recent years and Davidson reckons circumstances could result in another lively match this evening.

He added: “I don’t know why there is an edge but they are always tough games. And we need to make sure we are at the top of our game to get a result against Aberdeen.

“I don’t think match sharpness will be an issue as I played under Derek and I know his type of training.

“If some of them play that were out they will be desperate to prove a point to repay the faith that Derek has shown in them. Likewise, the ones that get a chance will be desperate to stay in the team.”

Davidson is now a month into his first managerial job and despite it being predominantly stop start period, the former Scotland international insists he has learnt a lot.

“There is a lot more to deal with rather than just the football side,” he continued.

“With Covid issues, it’s a different sort of challenge. As assistant manager, you can really concentrate on tactics and training.

“Whereas in this  position, there is a broader scope. You’ve got to look out for other people as well, you have to manage other people. 

“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s keeping me busy anyway. My golf is suffering, which is not great. I’m not too happy about that.”

Davidson is also quick to thank Aberdeen manager McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty for introducing him into management during their time at Saints.

“I owe a lot to Derek and Doc,” he said.

“They wanted to sign me. I think they only stayed  for three or four months but they were the ones who let me take training on Mondays.

“To find your way in coaching, you have to learn somewhere.  So I’m very grateful to them. They started it all.

“I won’t be doing  them any favours on Thursday night but a big thanks to them for helping me.

“It’s something I’m very conscious of with older players coming through. What they did for me I try to do with other ones.”