Struggles may have cost Kerr Scotland place

Callum Davidson fears St Johnstone’s slow start to the campaign wrecked skipper Ja s o n Ker r ’s chances of answering a Scotland SOS.

Six stars were ruled out of the Euro 2020 penalty shoot-out win over Israel by injury and the Covid19 protocols.

Aberdeen pair Andrew Considine and Ross McCrorie and Hibs fullback Paul McGinn have got the call to join Steve Clarke’s squad for Nations League ties with Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

McDiarmid manager Davidson, who was a coach in the Scotland set- up under Gordon Strachan, suspects Saints’ troubled start to the campa ign counted against under- 21 cap Kerr, 23, being contacted by Clarke.

“If you look at how Jason has performed this season he has to be up there as a contender,” said Davidson. “He has been very solid in a back three, playing right centre half.

“He also has the ability to step in and get forward to create chances, and he scored in midweek.

“Congratulations to those who have been called-up.

“Jason’s chances of being called into the Scotland squad have probably been hampered by our position in the league rather than the way he has been playing. But if Scotland continue to play a back three I’m sure Jason will be a strong candidate.”

Davidson’s immediate priority is another Betfred Cup clash, with Brechin City following on from a 2-1 midweek win away to Kelty Hearts.

“Injury-wise it was allclear from the midweek game, ever yone came through it,” he said.

“I will probably utilise the squad a g a i n ,” added Davidson. “It might be on the smaller side but it is a strong squad.

“It was good to get game time into Callum Booth, C hris Kane and Craig Bryson. They will possibly get more minutes but we have to make sure the balance is right.

“We want to win the game obviously and no matter what team I put out I will feel comfortable with it.”

Davidson has warned his players the League Two outfit showed quality despite losing 6 -2 to Dundee United in midweek.

He said: “We had Brechin watched against Dundee United and I have seen some footage.

“They are an attacking team and had some great chances in the first half.”

There is no despondency in the Glebe Park camp despite that defeat . Manager Mark Wilson said: “The score does not look good but we are not downtrodden as we played well.

“Facing United then St Johnstone before a long trip to Peterhead is about as tough as start as you can get but we saw enough signs in midweek to be happy with where we are.

“I was pleased with how our players went about things. They acquitted themselves against a topflight side and created loads of chances. Showing that resolve against a Premiership side playing their 11 th game of the season while we were playing our first pleased me greatly.

“It will not be any easier against St Jo h n s t o n e . However if we get the same level of performance I will be pleased.”

Summer signing from Forfar Connor Coupe is out injured, while on- loan Aberdeen youngster Connor Barron is in selfisolation after being with the Scotland under-19s this week where coach Billy Stark tested positive for coronaviris.