IT would have been difficult for Callum Davidson to find the positives in yesterday’s defeat at Ibrox but the St Johnstone manager will be aware that losses to Rangers will not define the Perthsire side’s campaign.

The early loss of Cammy MacPherson to a thigh strain meant an early introduction for Daniel Phillips following his midweek arrival.  

“I didn’t want Daniel to play as quick as this,” he said. “Cammy needs to start to play regularly games to cement his place but unfortunately he had to come off.  I thought Danny coped really well.  

“First half I was quite pleased with our effort and shape and how we went about our business,” said Davidson.

“We conceded a sloppy goal. Rangers didn’t open us up too much. “But you’ve got to take your chances when they come here and we didn’t do that with Theo’s [Blair] opportunity.  

 “I thought we performed well second half but we then conceded a poor second goal too.  Those goals allowed it to be comfortable for Rangers.  

“Sometimes you get peppered here. That didn’t happen today but still we got beat.  It’s a rebuild, a new team but there are a lot of good things there.”