St Johnstone midfielder Dan Phillips is belatedly developing into one of the finds of the season.
Callum Davidson credits a patient approach and private pep talk with providing the spark for the ex-Watford prospect’s Perth career.
Many supporters were mystified as to why Phillips didn’t feature heavily before the World Cup break when returning fit from some early season setbacks.
The player was keen for answers, too, and received them in a one-to-one talk with the manager.
The 22-year-old was left in no doubt that more work and conditioning was required to prime him for a place in the side for the season’s second phase.
That chat changed the direction of the former Chelsea kid’s first year in Scotland.
And on recent evidence, the form of Phillips will be central to Saints’ hopes of mounting a late top six run.
Davidson explained: “We had a good conversation with Dan, a little challenge to each other. He was wanting to play; I was wanting more from him to play.
“Dan probably just wants to play every game but I think, sometimes, you have to build that robustness in your body to allow you to do it.
“He’s lost weight, he’s worked extremely hard. Dan probably had to have a look at himself and thought: ‘Right, I need to do this’. All credit to him for doing it.
“He’s then stepped up and said: Come on then, play me. And right now, I can say to him: You’ve picked yourself. He’s responded in a fantastic manner.”
Phillips was handed a searching test on debut at Ibrox in August when replacing Cammy MacPherson after only five minutes.
Davidson’s ideal design was to twin the talents of MacPherson and Phillips in the middle of the park.
However, injuries to both kiboshed those plans until the turn of the year. The partnership has come good, with the promise of better to come with eight league games to play before the split.
Davidson said: “I think we’re getting the benefit of being patient with him. Performances in the last few games have been of the highest level.
“He and Cammy complement each other really well in the middle of the park.
“It’s just not up to one person to get on the ball, both can do it. Both have great energy.
“The biggest thing for me is I need to keep them both fit. I believe if they’re fit, we’ll have a really good foundation to play football from.
“Without a doubt, there’s more to come from Dan. He’s always had trouble with his thighs.
“Once he gets that out the way, I think you’ll be able to see him cover ground really well and get about the pitch even better than he does now.
“I see a lot of potential in him, he’s got it. But it comes down to making sure attitude and professionalism is spot on.”
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