St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes isn’t worried that Murray Davidson will be distracted by Rangers’ failed bid to sign him.
As such, he’ll be in the Perth squad for the season opener at Aberdeen today. The Scotland under-21 international was the subject of a £150,000 offer from the Scottish champions on Thursday but it was instantly rejected by Saints chairman Geoff Brown.
The McDiarmid Park club are looking for significantly more for the 23-year-old, who has been their star performer since his move from Livingston two years ago.
McInnes admitted the timing of the Ibrox club’s offer was not ideal two days before the SPL season kicks off but hasn’t even considered leaving him out at Pittodrie this afternoon.
“The chairman puts the valuations on players and I am with him the bid was well below what we think of Murray,” he said. “The timing was far from ideal… but you can’t control these things.
“As far as I’m concerned he’s our player and we want him to be here for the season. Murray’s focus is on the Aberdeen game and he will be doing his best for St Johnstone.
“He’s not the kind of boy to allow things to get to him he’s very laid-back and when he’s on the pitch he’s a competitor. I will have no hesitation in playing him at Pittodrie.”
Meanwhile Rangers boss Ally McCoist has yet to determine whether they will go back with an improved offer. “I don’t know to be honest,” he said. “I haven’t had a chance to sit down and speak to the owner at any great length so it would be wrong to give a comment on that at the moment.”