St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes has stressed there have been no offers for prize asset Murray Davidson.
The midfielder has been linked with English Premiership sides Everton, Bolton and Wolves, while SPL leaders Rangers have also been mentioned as possible suitors.
The Perth men have moved to bolster the centre of the park with the signing of David Robertson from Dundee United. However, people putting two and two together and getting five are way off the mark as far as Robertson arrival’s arrival hastening Davidson’s departure is concerned.
Indeed, McInnes is relaxed about the speculation and, while he expects the 23-year-old former Livingston man to attract greater and greater interest, he is in no hurry to lose him.
“We know which clubs are keeping an eye on our players and who are sending scouts to games,” said the Saints boss, who has Davidson signed up on an extended deal. “We know there has been a bit more interest in our team and given his performances Murray would be one of a few here attracting attention. But there has been no contact from any club.”
McInnes is also not expecting Davidson to be fazed by the speculation going into the remaining games at Aberdeen on Saturday, Hamilton (home) and St Mirren (away).
“Murray is single-minded and driven,” he said. “There is nothing wrong with ambition in any footballer but it is one thing clubs being interested and another following it up with a concrete bid.
“I am interested in dozens of players and speak to agents all the time. That is probably where we are with Murray right now. But do I expect interest to firm up in Murray in the future? The answer to that would have to be yes.”
McInnes, who in the next week will decide the future of several players going out of contract, also revealed he had cut short the loan of Hearts’ Lithuanian winger Arvydas Novikovas, who joined in January.
“I spoke to (Hearts manager) Jim Jefferies and Arvydas hasn’t made the contribution we had hoped for and I felt it was more important to look at players who might be here next season,” he said.
Saints travel to Pittodrie boosted by finally getting a win and a couple of goals against Hibs to end their embarrassing drought.
“There was a lot to be pleased about against Hibs and we want to win more games between now and the end of the season,” added McInnes. “The dressing room was noisy and happy after the game rather than being forlorn and subdued. Hopefully we can repeat that over the last three games.”
Several Saints players are nursing injuries, with Danny Grainger missing training on Thursday and Graham Gartland undergoing hernia surgery.
Jody Morris is out for the season but Michael Duberry and Steven Anderson return from suspension.