The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Assistant manager Davidson’s dual role ‘a great experience’
Perth No 2 enjoying ‘different perspective’ when working away on Scotland business
Callum Davidson’s new Scotland role is giving him a “different perspective” when he gets back to the day job with St Johnstone.
Tommy Wright’s number two has been brought into Gordon Strachan’s backroom team with the national side for the last few internationals.
It has meant a busy schedule for the former Scotland, Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City player, with Davidson having just a few hours off between the Hampden draw with England and the resumption of pre-season training at Perth the next day as one example.
But it certainly doesn’t feel like a burden.
“It’s great experience for me,” he said. “I’m seeing different styles of play at the international level and working with Gordon and Mark (McGhee) and see how they go about their business.
“Obviously I work very closely here with Tommy so I see a different type of preparation while away with Scotland, although they are similar in many ways.
“To be involved with Scotland is brilliant. It gives me a different perspective. I find myself watching English games on TV and putting real focus on players who are in the squad rather than just watching for the sake of it.
“It can be tough finishing with a Scotland game and getting into training with St Johnstone the next day. You have to switch roles and get back to league football. But I’d rather have that than four or five days off.”
Davidson added: “Obviously there are big international games coming up but I am concentrating on St Johnstone right now.
That’s the way it has to be. I couldn’t make a Scotland meeting recently because of my club commitments.
“Every time I try something new here the lads ask if I picked it up with Scotland. It’s all good fun and I just say yes now, whether or not it’s something I picked up on international duty.”
“To be involved with Scotland is brilliant. It gives me a different perspective. CALLUM DAVIDSON