Jody’s buzzing for his return to Perth Morris reminisces ahead of Mackay’s big testimonial

It’s been five years since Jody Morris handed over the St Johnstone captain’s armband to Dave Mackay.

Nowadays, the former midfielder is making his mark coaching the multinational Chelsea U18 squad.

But his fondness for the Perth club and respect for Mackay will see Morris (38) among legends from both sides making an appearance in Friday’s testimonial match with Dundee.

“Cuptie got in touch asking if I’d like to play in his game if we didn’t have a match down here. I checked the planner and we had a rare weekend off,” said Morris.

“It’s worked out great and I’m looking forward to coming back to Perth.

“After Chelsea, St Johnstone are definitely next in terms of how I feel about a club. It will always be like that.

“They are the next result I look for and I’m always rooting for them. I spent the longest time there apart from Chelsea.

“The time with Saints was important to me. I had a great relationship with the supporters and I fell back in love with football in my time with the club.”

Morris will join legends, including Stoke City’s Charlie Adam sporting dark blue, playing in the closing stages of Mackay’s big game and he’s delighted it has a derby flavour.

“I will never forget my debut at Dundee,” he said. “I scored and it was probably the only header of my whole career.

“I don’t even remember it. I had been pretty much knocked unconscious just before it.

“I have watched it back on the telly otherwise I’d know nothing about it. I have a vague memory of the celebrations but that’s about it.”

But Morris has instant recall of the highs, and lows, of his four years with Saints.

He reminisced: “The Rangers game when we won 4-1 at Perth was special. It all came together that night against

Jody Morris celebrates with Dave Mackay and Lee Croft after netting against Motherwell a top class Rangers team. when I missed one after we led in extra

“Then there was the win at Celtic time. when Cuptie scored. St Johnstone “When I was there we eventually got weren’t expected to do well back then out of the First Division and the club against Rangers and Celtic. still seems to be surprising people and

“No one gave us a prayer as doing well under Tommy Wright. newcomers to the league and we were “They have been top half ever since favourites to go down. So those are and taken it up a level with winning special memories. the cup. It was fantastic to see Cuptie

“We got so close to the final in losing lift the trophy. to Rangers on penalties in the semi “That was one thing we never managed in my time with the club. We got into Europe but lost to Rangers and Motherwell in the semi-finals.

“The club was getting to semi finals even before I arrived so fair play to the management and players who finally got the job done.

“It was a long time coming and the fans had felt the heartache. The club and everyone at the club deserved it.

“This is a club which is run properly and they don’t live beyond their means. That makes for a tight dressing room. Everyone works hard for each other and they come up with results when needed.”

The fact that Morris is travelling up from London on a rare weekend off speaks volumes.

He said: “Cuptie was my vice-captain to me and he is the sort of player who leads by example. He was the obvious choice for the captaincy when I walked out the door.

“He was always straight down the line with you. He wasn’t a barker but he didn’t shirk any responsibilities.

“And Cuptie was a top player. No disrespect to St Johnstone or Scottish football but he could have had an even better career.

“I felt he should have had Scottish honours. When people talk about the most consistent players I have played with in my career Cuptie definitely springs to mind.

“He was classy. He could play his way out from the back and he was an attacking threat as well because of his willingness to get forward, his engine and delivery of the ball.

“It was great for him and the club when they won the cup. That was quality.”

*Friday’s match, sponsored by Kilmac and Booker, kicks-off at 7.30pm. Admission is £15 and £5 for seniors and U16s.

Danny Griffin, Scottish Cup winner Frazer Wright, Darren Dods, John O’Neil, Martin Hardie, Allan Preston, Nathan Lowndes and Perth fans’ player of the decade Paul Sheerin are some of the big names set to feature.