St Johnstone defender Scott Tanser believes Callum Davidson has got him playing the best football of his career

The full-back has enjoyed an attacking role in St Johnstone’s variation of a 3-5-2 system this season and he is beginning to find consistency in an attacking sense, while also being assured defensively. 

Perth manager Davidson is in the McDiarmid Park history books as the highest fee received for a player for his transfer to Blackburn Rovers for £1.75million in 1998.

And Tanser believes his gaffer's experience of playing his position is working wonders for his own game.  

He told Herald and Times Sport: “I’m loving it. Under Tommy [Wright] it was mostly a back four we played, which didn’t give me as many opportunities to get forward.  

“The manager has put a lot of trust in me to attack. It’s allowing me to put in a lot of crosses and show what I can do – the same as Danny on the other side.  

“It took me a bit of time to settle and I had a bit of a dip last season which I wasn’t happy about. This season I’ve come back with a different mentality and I’ve worked on my defensive side.  

“I feel like I’m playing really well – probably the best in my career. It helps that the gaffer played my position. He’ll pull me to the side and give me advice. In pre-season there was a lot of work put in and I think it shows.”  

The 26-year-old Englishman is out of contract in the summer, and despite there being no talks ongoing, Tanser is desperate to extend his stay.  

He continued: “As of yet there is no real update. I think that possibly they might like to offer me a new one and I’d certainly be open to discussing that.  

“At the moment I’ll try and keep playing well for St Johnstone and we’ll see where we go from there.”  

Tanser was on penalty duties last term, but this season the spot kicks have been left to striker Stevie May. 

The former Aberdeen and Sheffield Wednesday man has scored eight goals in his last seven games, which has helped Saints to an unbeaten run of eight games. 

Tanser hailed his teammate saying: “His work-rate is brilliant and it’s great to see the goals come. He’s up to nine for the season which will be great for his confidence. 

“He’s scored a few penalties. I’m just happy the team is scoring but if he doesn’t want to take one, I’m more than happy to step up again.” 

Saints travel to Easter Road tomorrow where they face a Hibs side who narrowly missed out on a victory against champions Celtic last weekend. 

The Edinburgh outfit came out on top when they travelled to Perth earlier this season, via the way of a last-minute penalty. 

It was a sucker punch for Tanser and his teammates, but he is hopeful his team can come out on top this time round. 

He added: “Hibs matched us up last time and if they do that again we need to find a way to get past them. But the way we played against them the last time I’d say we were the better side but a last minute penalty against the run of play doesn’t help.  

“We just need to stick to what we’re doing because we’re playing really exciting football and the way the manager has changed the shape really suits us so hopefully we can go and get the three points.  

“The Hibs defeat was a tough one to take. You could say the same about Celtic because we played so well and two late goals kind of killed us.  

“But the Hibs one was a sickener - especially with it being a penalty in the 90th minute. To lose a game like that is disheartening but as a group of lads you have to stick together.  

“And we’ve got the perfect chance to push into the top six and I’ve got no doubts we’ll do it. We kind of enjoy going to Easter Road and getting late goals so hopefully we can repay them.  

“I like the stadium and the pitch so I’m looking forward to the game.”