St Johnstone midfielder Murray Davidson insists he's indebted to Cowdenbeath

30 November 2012 14:34
St Johnstone midfielder Murray Davidson is indebted to the experience gained at Cowdenbeath which helped turn him into a Scotland international.
                                           
Davidson is preparing for Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup fourth-round clash at Central Park. The 24-year-old spent a spell on loan with the Blue Brazil in the 2006-07 season and knows the Central Park pitch, which is circled by a stock car racing track, better than most of his Saints team-mates.

"It's old school," said Davidson, who made his Scotland debut in Luxembourg earlier this month.

"It was seven or eight games I played. It was good for me. It stands you in good stead going to places like that as a young boy.

"I think more young boys should be put out to lower division teams. It shows you it's not all about coming in and getting mollycoddled.

"You've got to go out there, work hard and see what it's like in the lower leagues. I enjoyed my time there, even though it was only in seven or eight games. It stands you in good stead." Cowdenbeath met Clydesdale Bank Premier League opposition in the Scottish Cup fourth round last season, losing 3-2 to Hibernian. Saints enter the clash after a frenzied finale on Wednesday night saw them lose 1-0 to Hibs in SPL action at McDiarmid Park. Davidson, whose game is based on hard graft, is pleased the opportunity to put the loss behind them will come quickly.

"It's good in a way because you come from a Wednesday night game, such a low, and you can't dwell on it," he said.

"You're back in first thing in the morning for a big game against Cowdenbeath in the Scottish Cup.

"Davidson was at Livingston when he played for the Fife club and moved to Perth in 2008 after two seasons in which Saints reached the Scottish Cup semi-final, losing to either side of the Old Firm. In 2010-11 Saints advanced to the last four, but lost 3-0 to Motherwell, and last season they were beaten in extra-time by eventual winners Hearts. Davidson added: "The last few years we've been trying to get a cup run and we're under no illusions it's going to be tough. It's a tough place to go."

Saints will be without Davidson's fellow midfielder David Robertson after the former Dundee United player suffered a broken leg against Hibs. Davidson added:

"The boys will get round him. We wish him a speedy recovery."

Captain Dave Mackay is suspended following his straight red card against Hibs, while manager Steve Lomas will watch from the stands after being handed an eight-match touchline ban.

Source: team_talk