Murray Davidson relishing Scotland cap chances

Feb 2 2010 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

Murray for Scotland

MURRAY Davidson will put childhood allegiances behind him as he embarks on the biggest game of his life, writes Gordon Bannerman.

The gifted midfielder has already lured Scotland manager Craig Levein to Perth and his talents will be showcased at the National Stadium tomorrow against Rangers, with Ibrox playmaker Steve Davis hailed the best in the land by manager Walter Smith.

The level-headed youngster, who bounced back from a groin injury and virus which knocked him out of the Tannadice trip last week, admits it’s a mouth-watering prospect.

And he won’t be fazed by all the Scotland conjecture.

“It’s great to get recognition and being linked with Scotland is a huge boost.

“But I have to keep my standards up for Saints if I’m going to get capped at U21 level or take it even further. That would be brilliant but the priority has to be St Johnstone.”

Davidson has progressed rapidly since one-time Saint Mark Proctor elevated him from the Livingston U19s. Derek McInnes showed his eye for a player by recruiting Davidson and Dave Mackay as the Almondvale club desperately sought hard cash.

“I was linked with a few Premier League teams last season and obviously Saints were one of them. It has been going well for me, especially if you throw in the Scotland stuff as well. I won’t get carried away with it. And if I did my friends and family would put me right.

“I got a late call-up for the U21 game in Azerbaijan but had to cry off because of a groin injury. Derek McInnes had called to congratulate me on the call-up. Everyone at the club was delighted for me. But I had to phone Billy Stark a few hours before we were due to meet and tell him the news. It was a hard decision but the right one. I might have let myself and the team down and put myself out for weeks.

“I was sick last week and Friday was the first time food stayed down. But I felt ready for the Hearts game. Now we have Rangers and this is massive. It’s one we’ve been looking forward to for ages.

“Some of the lads have been talking about how hard it was to take losing in the last semi-final with Rangers. We’ve lost against them twice this season so hopefully it will be third time lucky.

“We’ve shown throughout the season we have players to hurt teams and it was great for everyone to get a clean sheet against Hearts. The back four and keeper deserve a lot of credit.”