Murray Davidson plots Ibrox comeback

Nov 15 2011 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

MURRAY DAVIDSON is ready to make his belated comeback against Rangers this weekend.

It will be his first start since a knee injury sustained against former club Livingston back in August.

And the highly regarded midfielder who, ironically, was the subject of a failed bid by Rangers to take him to Ibrox before the transfer window closed, admits he has it all to prove with a new manager at the helm.

It has been a frustrating spell for a player whose performances last term warranted a call-up into the Scotland squad for matches with the Faroes and Brazil.

The ill-timed injury ruled out any prospect of making Craig Levein’s experimental squad heading for Cyprus last week.

But his focus is closer to home, with Steve Lomas replacing Derek McInnes in the Perth dug-out.

“I’m looking forward to the weekend. It was a bit of a disaster that the Aberdeen game was called off because of the fog. I’d been hoping to start that one,” he declared.

“But on the plus side it has given the new manager more time to work with the players.

“We have a big game at Ibrox for his first in charge of St Johnstone and when any manager comes in players have a little bit more zip in training, trying to catch the eye. Training has been at a great tempo.

“From a personal point of view I know I have it all to prove again after a change of manager. But I was never going to take the foot off the gas anyway.”

Davidson (23) got a 70-minute run against a strong Celtic side last week, with the Hoops midfield including Kris Commons, Paddy McCourt and high profile trialist Bolo Zenden.

“I came through that with no problems so now it’s up to the manager. I was up against strong players in the middle of the park so the game was ideal for me.

“I certainly feel ready if the gaffer wants me to start against Rangers. To be honest, I have been ready for a couple of weeks now so it would be great to start at Ibrox.”

Davidson acknowledged the part played in his development by previous boss McInnes and, given the Lomas international pedigree, he’s hoping his education will continue under the former Northern Ireland star.

“Obviously he was a top midfielder, like the previous manager, so hopefully I will learn from him. It can only be positive for me because the gaffer played in my position at a top level down south. He still likes to get the boots on in training.”

Reflecting on the failed move by Rangers earlier in the campaign, with an offer tagged “derisory” within the Perth club, Davidson stressed: “The timing of that bid was unfortunate because we were playing Rangers at the weekend.

“Even people in the street in Perth were asking all about it. It got a bit boring because it had nothing to do with me. It wasn’t ideal timing but I was fine when the game got under way.

“Now all that speculation is behind me and, as ever, my focus is 100 per cent on St Johnstone. What happened has happened. I am a St Johnstone player and because of the lay-off I’m keener than ever to get going again.

“I have to force myself back into the starting line-up with my performances on the park and in training.”

While several younger players got a call-up for the Scotland trip to Cyprus last week, Davidson admitted it was never on his agenda.

“It wasn’t frustrating to miss out because with the injury I wasn’t expecting to be listed. It was a non-starter for me.

“If the Scotland manager calls me further down the line about being in a squad when I am fit and healthy that would be brilliant. But my priority has to be St Johnstone.”