McGhee warns of Davidson threat

SAINTS MIDFIELDER CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR ABERDEEN SIDE LOOKING FOR ITS SECOND LEAGUE WIN AT HOME

By Alex Martin

Published:

St Johnstone midfielder Murray Davidson has gone from the First Division to the brink of the national team and Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee believes the former Livingston player will pose a significant threat tomorrow.

Despite being sent off in his first two matches for Livi, Davidson has blossomed since moving to Perth in May along with team-mate Dave MacKay and McGhee is a long-time admirer of the 21-year-old Edinburgh-born player.

The Dons are seeking their second home win of the season tomorrow but St Johnstone are finding their feet following promotion and McGhee believes much of their success has been due to the impact of Davidson.

He said: “Murray Davidson was a player I tried hard to sign for Motherwell when I was in charge there.

“I tried to persuade him to come to Fir Park but his doubts were around him not being sure whether I was still going to be around at Motherwell.

“That was justified because I ended up at Aberdeen.

“He wasn't prepared to commit because of the uncertainty about where I'd be.

"He's a player who, had he been available when I came to Aberdeen, I would have tried to sign. I like him a lot. I looked at him when he was playing his fifth or sixth game for Livingston. I went straight back and said we should try to get him and we did try.

“But Livingston weren't for selling, or they were asking for silly money, and I couldn't get him.”

Despite the disappointing start to the season, McGhee is taking a long-term view of his team. Without money to refresh a squad which finished fourth last season, the manager knows he must, and is prepared to, be patient with his players.

His team must cope with the expectations of the Pittodrie crowd and McGhee is determine to eradicate the mistakes which have been costly this season.

He said: “I hope the pressure does not build on individual players, it is a collective responsibility.

“We did not lose the game on Saturday against Hibs because we had nine men. We lost the game because we could not win a header in our penalty area and the likes of Jerel Ifil knows how I feel about that.

“Taking chances is one thing, not giving away silly goals is another.”