Ross County midfielder Stewart Murdoch says friendships will be on hold for 90 minutes when the Staggies take on his former club Falkirk in tonight’s League Cup third-round tie at Victoria Park.
Aberdeen-born Murdoch began his career with the Bairns, making 91 appearances before leaving to join English League 1 outfit Fleetwood Town in 2013.
Having returned to Scotland with the Staggies in the summer, Murdoch is set to come up against his old side for the first time.
With the Dingwall side intent on reaching the quarter-finals of the League Cup, Murdoch says there will be no room for sentiment.
Murdoch said: “It’s one I look at because it’s come so soon after I came back to Scotland, getting the chance to go up against the team that gave me my break in football.
“I came through the youth system there and had a lot of my firsts in football there.
“I went there at under-15s after spending a couple of years in the seven-a-sides at Hearts. I left to go back to boys’ club football, where I was picked up at Falkirk.
“I spent many years at the club. Some of the lads will be familiar faces.
“Kieran Duffie was a good mate of mine. Craig Sibbald was coming through, Will Vaulks just got into the team – there’s a few there. Stephen Kingsley and Jay Fulton have moved on and done well for themselves.
“Alex Smith, the technical director, was also a massive influence. There were times when he took me to one side and gave me some one-to-one coaching and really encouraged me.
“When I moved here, he phoned me and said it was a good move for me. He’s still a big part of the club and everyone speaks fondly of him.
“It will be one of those where I shake their hand before the game but after that it will be business.”
Murdoch has had to show patience since joining the Highlanders, making just three substitute appearances since starting the opening game of the season against Celtic at Parkhead.
The 25-year-old played the last 20 minutes of Saturday’s 1-0 win against Partick Thistle and is determined to force his way into manager Jim McIntyre’s starting line-up for tonight’s encounter.
Murdoch added: “I’m just having to be patient, train and work as hard I can to take any opportunity that comes my way.
“Playing against Celtic was a welcome back to Scottish football. It wasn’t my best performance and since then I’ve just been chipping away to get some game time.
“If someone doesn’t perform, I’ll get a chance. It’s a waiting game and once I get my chance, I’ve just got to grab it.”