In professional golf, it has been dubbed ‘The Nappy Factor’ – the idea that an individual’s sporting performance is enhanced by becoming a father.
St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson could be a convert to the theory after seeing new dad Nicky Clark flourish since the birth of his daughter Georgie.
The striker has scored three goals in four games while savouring first-time fatherhood.
Clark netted in the wins over Hibernian and Rangers, either side of home victory over Kilmarnock, as Saints surged into the top six.
In midweek he secured a dramatic 2-2 draw at St Mirren with a superb overhead kick deep into stoppage time.
Clark’s recruitment from Dundee United on deadline day was already shaping up to be a shrewd piece of business since a goal on debut in September.
Davidson is delighted to note Saints benefiting further from the 31-year-old’s new lease of life in recent weeks.
The Saints manager said: “I definitely know, when I had kids, I wanted them to be proud of what I did.
“I think you have a wee refocus about where you are, what you want to do.
“For Nicky, three goals in four games is great. The finishes have been exactly what we’ve been looking for.
“He works extremely hard on the other side but, when he gets into that penalty box, you know he can produce something to get a goal out of nothing.
“His signing has been everything we wanted it to be. It’s been brilliant, all credit to Nicky.
“He fitted in really well with the squad as soon as he walked into the dressing room.
“He understands football, knows what we want on the defensive side. He’s come up with the goals too, so I can’t complain.”
Stevie May is available to partner Clark for today’s visit of Motherwell after recovering from a sickness bug.
May was last-gasp hero when the sides met in August, scoring in stoppage time for a 2-1 success that Davidson ranked as a timely boost.
St Johnstone suffered an early group stage exit from the Premier Sports Cup then lost to Hibs at home in their opening league fixture.
Now they’re sixth and firmly in top half contention as a domestic shutdown looms.
Davidson recalled: “That was a big win for us. Motherwell scored late on then we went up and scored what was another late goal.
“That showed a little bit of what we are this season. Last season that might not have happened. Now we’re always staying in the game.
“That steadied the ship a bit and we’ve managed to kick on.”
Alex Mitchell misses out today through suspension following his red card in Paisley.
The on-loan Millwall defender will serve the second game of his ban at Ross County on December 17.
Davidson said: “That’s Alex off until just before Christmas so it’s the longest two-game ban of the season!
“That’s quite hard for him. I’ve shown faith by putting him straight in, he’s played very well in big games. I’ve been really pleased with him.”
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