CALLUM DAVIDSON insists St Johnstone have proved the doubters wrong once again by booking their place in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals.

The Perth outfit defeated Tayside rivals Dundee on Wednesday night to set up a last four tie at Hampden with Celtic as they look to retain their League Cup crown.

Some questioned whether Saints could keep up their impressive cup form after losing captain Jason Kerr and star man Ali McCann on the final day of the summer transfer window.

But with new signings Ali Crawford and Efe Ambrose impressing, Davidson is delighted with how his team have turned things around early in the season.

He said: “I think it is an even better achievement reaching the semi-final this year given the expectations on us. We lost a couple of important players in the transfer window as well. 

“I think everyone probably doubted us and said we can’t get back to Hampden. That has kind of spurred us on. Players move on but there have been a lot of positives to take. 

“Replacements have come in and Efe Ambrose has been magnificent, and Ali Crawford scored to get us through. It is a harder job to get there and I’m just delighted we’ve managed to do so. 

“Whatever draw we were going to get it was going to be a tough one. It is just great to be back at Hampden. I think there will be great crowd so I am really looking forward to it. 

“It will be a tough game against Celtic but they are all tough games when you get to a semi-final. I am just glad we are getting mentioned alongside Rangers, Celtic and Hibs. It is great for St Johnstone to be there. 

“We just need to go there and do our job. It is always fun when you go to Hampden and win games. We will try our best to get through and that’s all we can do.” 

Saints will now visit the national stadium for a fifth time in the last eight months and Davidson admits last year’s heroics have made him hungry for more success.

He continued: “To look back on stats it is great. When you look at it like that it is pretty special. I’m not sure if I want crowds there. We could maybe go with no crowds, and I could go and get my lucky coffee with nobody bothering me! 

“In all seriousness, it is brilliant that the fans are back and it will be a different atmosphere again. It is something we will go and try to relish and enjoy. 

“It makes memories for players. I do remember some of the big games I played in it is the crowd I remember a lot of the time. 

“I am just delighted St Johnstone fans will be able to take a trip down Glasgow to Hampden to watch us. They missed out four times before so it is great that they can be there.” 

St Johnstone take on Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday as they look to continue on from last week’s first league win of the campaign against Aberdeen.

Looking ahead to the clash, Davidson said: “Our track record at Easter Road won’t come into our minds. Definitely not. 

“Hibs have a really strong squad. They’ve made some good additions and managed to hold onto some key players as well. They are probably in a stronger position than they were last season. 

“It is going to be a tough game but we are up for the fight. We enjoy these games where we go to play in Edinburgh. 

“It is good to have Hearts back in the league as well. They are great places to go and play your football. We are looking forward to it.”

In an injury update, Davidson added: “James Brown has tweaked his hamstring so he is out for a minimum of 10 days.  Murray Davidson is still in a lot of pain from the back knock at Aberdeen. 

“Liam Gordon had his scan and it was good. But he is slightly longer. With this knee injury it’s an unusual one. It’s important not to rush him. We can’t afford to push him too quickly and risk damaging it. 

“Cammy MacPherson is very close to returning so hopefully we’ll have him training Saturday and Craig Bryson isn’t far away either.”