Gordon: We’ve Scot ambition but league bid comes first
ST JOHNSTONE v ROSS COUNTY TODAY, 3PM, McDIARMID PARK
IT’S almost nine years since a St Johnstone player was capped by Scotland – but hopes their historic Betfred Cup win would mean call-ups for skipper Jason Kerr and goal hero Shaun Rooney were dashed when Steve Clarke unveiled his latest squad this week.
Defender Liam Gordon insists fans’ disappointment wasn’t shared in the Perth dressing room. But he hopes beating St
Mirren to the final top-six spot will strengthen the case for Callum Davidson’s in-form stars to follow Murray Davidson – capped against Luxembourg in November 2012 – into the Scotland set-up.
Gordon said: “When you’re a wee boy you have dreams of being involved in a Scotland squad one day.
“But all the boys here are solely focused on St Johnstone. If we go on and finish top six you never know what might happen.
“I don’t think anyone here was focused on a Scotland call-up. We are just looking to have a good strong finish to the league season. Everyone here has a great attitude and wants to improve, coming in and working hard every day.
“If the prospect of a Scotland call-up motivates any of the boys to work even harder then fair enough. It would be an amazing achievement for any St Johnstone player.”
An impressive run of just two defeats in 14 games – to Rangers and Celtic – has turned around St Johnstone’s season. They’re close to securing another top-six finish and victory on home soil against Ross County is a must in the final game before the split.
Then their dream will hinge on St Mirren’s result at Hamiton and Gordon added: “We need to get three points, nothing less.
“It’s a massive game for the whole club – financially and also for the players.”