Fresh from finally claiming his long awaited Scotland under-21 cap, St Johnstone’s Murray Davidson is targeting a club campaign to remember.
After twice being forced to withdraw from under-21 squads last term, the Saints midfielder at last made his international bow in the 1-1 midweek draw with Sweden.
Fully recovered from the groin complaint which hampered him during his first season at McDiarmid Park, Davidson now has his sights trained on getting amongst the goals for the Perth side.
“I enjoyed the 65 minutes run out against Sweden and finally getting that first cap,” he beamed yesterday.
“It’s been a long time coming. It was my third call-up, but I had to pull out of the home and away games with Azerbaijan last season because of the groin injury.
“The first time I had to call off before the lads left and the second time I actually joined up with the squad before a decision was made.
“This week’s game was only a friendly but it was my first international honour so it was a real thrill.
“It was difficult missing out last season because I was desperate to represent my country and I’d waited so long for a call-up, but I knew I wouldn’t have been doing myself or my Scotland team-mates justice if I’d tried to play in those games against Azerbaijan.”
Although hindered by injury through last term, Davidson proved himself one of the brightest emerging midfield talents in the SPL.
The only criticism that could be levelled at him concerned his goals-to-chances ratio.
This time around he aims to find improvement in the scoring stakes.
“I’m hopeful we have cracked the groin problem,” he said. “I was rarely 100% last season, but I had sugar injections from a specialist in Leicester late last season and the rest over the summer has done me a power of good.
“I was happy enough with my first SPL season, personally and for the team. The aim now is to better that. I scored five league goals which isn’t a disaster but I know I should have scored more. There’s no hiding from that.
“It was frustrating knowing I should have more. But I will keep believing in myself and if I keep getting into the right positions the goals will come. I’m not going to set any scoring targets-but I will be looking to better last season’s tally.”
Saints continue to have fitness worries over defenders Kevin Rutkiewicz, Michael Duberry and Dave Mackay none of whom were able to take part in the squad session at the club’s new part-time Grangemouth training base- ahead of tomorrow’s SPL opener against Hearts.
“We’ll have a clearer idea where we stand come Friday,” said boss Derek McInnes. “But none of the three are in full training yet and that’s a concern.
“It’s been a hinderance this week. We’ve been able to prepare all other areas of the team but when you have three important players from one department of the side missing training it does affect your preparations a little.
“But whatever difficulties we are encountering, it doesn’t dilute the anticipation of the game and the season starting.
If his selection difficulties don’t ease-leaving him with only three fit defenders at his disposal-one option available to McInnes would be to hand on-trial utility man Stuart Duff, who can play full-back, a short-term deal.
“Stuart has done well with us and we’ll have a chat but I know he has other interest in him,” he said.