MURRAY BACK IN RUNNING
MURRAY DAVIDSON returned to the fray for the first time in eight months with a 12-minute run from the bench in St Johnstone’s 1-0 defeat by Ross County.
The midfielder almost grabbed a last-gasp leveller and Perth boss Callum Davidson could be tempted to hand him a return ticket against Livingston.
He said: “Murray was probably a bit disappointed he didn’t start but he has been out for a long time.
“But it was good to get him out on the pitch again.
“He is a leader out there and definitely one of those characters players follow.”
Former Livi powerhouse Davidson, 32, was plagued by an Achilles injury that was then triggered by lockdown running.
And his manager said: “I didn’t want to risk putting him back in too early in case he broke down again.
“It is important Murray stays fit to give me a selection s headache. He almost a got us an equaliser late l on against County.
“Murray showed typical determination d to get onto the t ball and probably caught c his shot too well.”
The Perth sub was denied d by Staggies keeper Ross R Laidlaw.
Wing-back Scott Tanser also a smashed a shot off the crossbar. Davidson said: “Scotty was excellent against Ross County.
“He had a couple of chances and was unlucky with the one which hit the crossbar, although it bounced up and he says he scuffed it a bit.
“If he’d got the contact he wanted it would probably have gone in but it was a lovely move.
“It would have been a great goal but right now I’d take a scrappy one if it got us a win. Scotty is playing really well just now.”
Davidson leapt to the defence of the Englishman after his challenge on Michael Gardyne teed-up Iain Vigurs’ winner.
He added: “You can debate it all day long but I thought he was unlucky with the free-kick which led to their goal.
“If it’s a foul when someone steps into you there would be any number in matches.”