Angling for a win
Murray back in frame
Murray Davidson is ready to help reel in a victory against St Mirren after recovering from injury.
The experienced St Johnstone midfielder spent large parts of the coronavirus lockdown fishing and now has his sights set on a threepoint haul.
Davidson’s Achilles injury, picked up on his return to pre-season training, ruled him out for the start of the campaign and he is yet to feature.
But he has trained all of this week and could be set for a starting return at home to the Buddies with fellow midfield man Liam Craig suspended.
“The manager spoke about involving me last weekend against Hibs, but it was too soon,” said Davidson.
“I’ve trained all of this week leading up to St Mirren. The injury is night and day compared to what it was.
“I got tendonitis and it was pretty much because of too much running on the hard ground during lockdown.
“I had done a lot of running. We were given programmes and, stupidly, I overdid it. At the time I didn’t realise.
“Part of it was maybe down to boredom but the main thing was you really want to be fit going back for pre-season.
“It got to a point where it was too sore. We’ve rested it the last month and it’s feeling great at the moment.”
Davidson has been forced to watch from the stand in recent weeks.
“I don’t think you can read into things so early in the season,” he told the PA. “People get carried away if you are winning games and push the panic button if not.
“I’ve been desperate to get back in the last few weeks because I hate watching.
“Every player is the same. You feel helpless and you just want to get out there for your team-mates.”
The 32-year-old has not been out on the park with his team-mates since January.
He had broken his arm in training at the beginning of the year, then the coronavirus lockdown arrived, before he picked up the Achilles problem.
During football’s shutdown Davidson re-ignited his passion for fishing.
“I have fished for as long as I can remember,” he explained this week. “I get a lot of stick for it.
“But I love going out to the peace and quiet, getting away from everyone. I was out at a place near Gleneagles last week.
“I’ve been down to the Willowgate in Perth as well. I’m looking to get into it a bit more and have all my fishing gear up with me.
“I’m sure people will see me out on my travels going fishing.
“I think I’m pretty good. I can’t be that bad because I catch fish and that is half the battle, isn’t it?
“One of the reasons I do it is because it’s completely different. Wherever you fish, you get peace and quiet.
“And it’s not hard work. I find it relaxing and when I finish training I don’t really like speaking about football.
“It’s a complete switch-off and your mind is totally elsewhere when you are fishing.”