Murphy hoping Mitchell allowed to stay at Saints

Swapping English for Scottish football has the potential to “make or break” a young loan player, according to St Johnstone forward Jamie Murphy.

Thankfully, in the case of Millwall’s Alex Mitchell, it’s been the former at Mcdiarmid Park.

The centre-back has been one of Saints’ most consistent performers in the early part of this season.

Now, the worry isn’t whether he can be a Premiership hit north of the border, it’s whether his parent club decide to cut short his time in Perth and decide Mitchell is ready for a second half of the season contribution in their own team, as happened a couple of years ago with Danny Mcnamara.

“Alex is a good player who is with a good club down south,” said Murphy.

“It makes or breaks young players seeing whether they can go away from home and cope with it.

“He’s in Perth living in a flat himself, although he’s good friends with a couple of the English boys so they all have each other.

“But it’s still testing for a young player.

“He’s done great so far and I think you’ve seen if there’s a ball there to be won, he’ll be going for it.”

The former Scotland international, who played in the English Championship with Sheffield United, added: “He’s still learning the game and has a long way to go, but he puts his head in and is brave.

“We have good options at the back, a lot of strength and experience. Hopefully Millwall leave him where he is in January.”

DOING GREAT: Alex Mitchell, left, is on loan from Millwall at Mcdiarmid Park where he has settled in well, says Saints forward Jamie Murphy.

Danny Mcnamara’s parent club cut short his loan spell after impressive performances.