FOR a matter of seconds on Wednesday night, it really did feel like time stood still in Lanarkshire.
With Hamilton leading St Johnstone 1-0 thanks to a thunderbolt from free-scoring midfielder Ross Callachan, St Johnstone needed a goal. Central defender Liam Gordon got the ball near the halfway line, clocked the run of striker Guy Melamed and shelled a delightful ball over the Accies midfield to send the Israeli zeroing in on goal.
What followed was a moment of breath-taking skill; a Dennis Bergkamp-esque display of astonishing close control. With his first touch, Melamed gracefully plucked the ball out of the air before stabbing the ball home with his second in one fluid motion.
đ€Ż | B̶e̶r̶g̶k̶a̶m̶p̶ Melamed pic.twitter.com/TlUK8LC0WW
â St. Johnstone FC (@StJohnstone) March 4, 2021
It was the latest effervescent burst from a player whose star has been on the rise in recent weeks. Self-isolating alone after pitching up in Perth, Melamed found himself in a foreign land, separated by his loved ones by thousands of miles.
Itâs understandable, then, if the 28-year-old took a little time in getting up to speed. It took Melamed until January but since then he has undoubtedly been earning his keep.
Five goals and three assists in his last six starts is the sort of return that any centre-forward would be proud of and Saints boss Callum Davidson is aware that he will need to move quickly to tie the in-form striker down on a longer contract at McDiarmid Park.
With Melamedâs deal set to expire at the end of the season, Davidson revealed that discussions are under way to get contract extensions for a number of players haggled out in the coming months. And a home win over Hibs this afternoon, he believes, could have potentially big ramifications on that front.
âIt has been a massive thing for us and we are desperate to get players tied up long term,â he said. âWe want them to stay.
âWhat we need to do is get as many points on the board because the more we get, the better position I will be in to offer contracts to players.
âLeague position is a factor in getting contracts sorted so that will become clear sooner rather than later.â
When asked if he wanted to offer Melamed a new deal, Davidson replied: âObviously, yeah, if he carries on the way he has been playing. His contribution to the team over the last couple of months has been tremendous.
âHe has that quality so we are talking and hopefully something can be done.
âI really donât know [what his plans are]. Thatâs a conversation we will be having. Iâm just pleased we have given Guy a platform to come and play his football.
âI think he has had to realise what he has to do to get there but all credit to him. He has been here on his own. His girlfriend has been back in Israel and he has been stuck in his flat. But he always come in with a smile on his face, wants to work and play games.
âIt has been great for me to see him scoring and great for him as well. It puts him in a good position for whatever happens to him but obviously I will be working hard behind the scenes to try and keep him here for next season.â
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