The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
‘Shortest summer ever’ for Saints assistant boss
Davidson will return to day job 24 hours after Scotland face the Auld Enemy
Callum Davidson will end one season on Saturday and start the next on Sunday.
The St Johnstone assistant manager is part of Gordon Strachan’s backroom team for Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against England.
Then it will be back to the day job for the former international defender when Saints begin preparations for their Europa League campaign.
“It’s a strange time to be playing against England, in the middle of June,” said the former Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City left-back.
“And my new season starts the following day. It’s the shortest summer I’ve ever had and the grass at home is six feet tall. But it’s enjoyable. And it’s great recognition for St Johnstone as well on the back of another great season for the club.
“And Tommy Wright deserves a lot of the credit. He has been hugely influential. He has helped me get into this position.”
Davidson was delighted to get the call from Strachan to take on the coaching role previously filled by Aberdeen’s Tony Docherty in the last Scotland camp.
He said: “I was surprised but pleased that Gordon asked me if I would be part of his coaching team for the match.
“I am doing my pro licence just now and we met a couple of months ago. But it was still a surprise.
“I am working away in the background but it’s brilliant for me in terms of gaining experience, working with guys like Gordon and Mark McGhee, and there is a great group of boys here.
“It is a level up again from club football and what I am used to.
“The players are in great shape. They are buzzing. We have a strong Celtic contingent, buoyed by their success this season. Everyone is desperate to be involved.
“England started out as favourites for the group and have been excellent in qualification. But it is important we get a result this weekend.”
Davidson, who won 26 caps, added: “If I can help anyone or pass on the benefit of my experience I will be happy to help out.
“But a lot of the lads have played in Scotland-England games so they know what it is all about.
“It is a great game to play in. This is the sort of match you remember when you finish playing. You play loads of league and cup games and many of the players have experienced playing in Europe. But playing for your country against your arch rivals is special. You look back on these games with hopefully fond memories.”
Davidson has bitter-sweet memories of a 1999 double header with England.
After losing 2-0 at Hampden, boss Craig Brown turned to Davidson to snuff out David Beckham for the second leg of the Euro 2000 play-offs.
The Scots won 1-0 through Don Hutchison’s strike and Davidson recalled:
“Neil McCann and I teamed-up to stop Beckham. We changed the system from the first game at Hampden. Neil always worked extremely hard so he was a great man to have in front of me.
“Even though we didn’t make the finals that was still a fantastic occasion, playing at the old Wembley, and winning.
“You relish these big challenges as a player. The more experience you gain the more you enjoy challenges like that.
“I was nervous before the game but that went when I got out onto the pitch. I was just desperate to do well and to win.
“It didn’t matter that I was marking a big name player like Beckham, we just needed a result.”