The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Davidson returning to where it all began
Midfielder relishes first league meeting with club that kickstarted his career
Murray Davidson has got a lot to thank Livingston for and they for him.
But he is ready for a sleeves-rolled-up battle with his former club, whose reputation for leaving everything on the pitch goes before them.
The St Johnstone midfielder, who was given a career start in West Lothian, will tonight play a first league game against Livi since leaving a decade ago. And he admitted that it’s a fixture he didn’t envisage taking place in this season’s Premiership.
“Obviously Livingston have had a few money problems in the last few years and went down to League One,” said Davidson.
“Even last year when they were pushing for the play-offs, everyone thought it would be tough for them to get promoted. They did it the hard way and it was fully deserved.
“Since they’ve come up they’ve been excellent. I don’t think even they could have imagined they would get off to such a good start.
“We played them in a cup game here – it was the year we won the Scottish Cup. There was a pre-season friendly there a couple of years as well but I’ve never faced them in a league game.”
“They’ve been brilliant and I’m delighted to see them back because that’s where it all started for me,” added Davidson.
“Hopefully their good run comes to an end tomorrow, though.”
The roll call of players who emerged out of the Livingston youth ranks in Davidson’s time at the club is as impressive as it gets for a provincial Scottish club, arguably even a big city one.
“I don’t know what it’s like now but when I was at Livingston there was a big emphasis put on getting players through the academy,” he recalled.
“At the end of each season they needed two or three who would be in the first team squad the following year.
“There was money invested to make sure that kept happening.
“When you look at the players who came through when I was there, it’s some list. There are a few who have gone on to really big clubs. It’s a credit to the system and the coaches.
“In my youth team there was James McPake, who was a bit older. Then there were the likes of Snoddy (Robert Snodgrass), (Graham) Dorrans, Leigh Griffiths and (Andy) Halliday. They’re the main ones who have had really good careers.
“A few have played for Scotland and James played for Northern Ireland.
“There were others like Martin Scott, who went to Hibs and Ross County. He’s at Cowdenbeath now. Allan Walker played in the Premiership then went to Raith Rovers. That’s off the top of my head. If I sat down and went through teamsheets, there would easily be double figures.
“Looking back, the money problems helped me. The fact that they couldn’t afford to buy players gave me a chance to play in the first team when I was only 18. A lot of the others would say the same thing. It was up to the players to take their chance after they got it.”
The present day Livi boys have forged a band of brothers reputation and Davidson can see similarities between the sides who face each other tonight.
He said: “From what I’ve seen of them, they look very well organised. They’ve been very strong at home.
“They’re a team. If we’re to get anything we’ll have to match their workrate and effort.
“Apart from a couple of seasons when we had Mayso (Stevie May) and Fran (Sandaza) scoring a lot, we’ve always been a team that has had to spread the goals throughout the side. “Livingston are like that.” Danny Swanson is back in the Saints squad after serving a two-game suspension.
Livingston last night signed Dutch centre-half Henk van Schaik.
The 20-year-old was available on a free transfer after being released by FC Twente.
Since they’ve come up they’ve been excellent. I don’t think even they could have imagined they would get off to such a good start. MURRAY DAVIDSON