Murray Davidson

Murray Davidson
Personal information
Full nameMurray Davidson
Date of birth7 March 1988
Place of birthEdinburgh, Scotland
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing positionCentral Midfielder
Club information
Current team
St. Johnstone
Number18
Youth career
2003–2008Livingston
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2008–2009Livingston37(7)
2009–St. Johnstone123(14)
National team
2010Scotland U21[1]1(0)
2010–Scotland1(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 4 May 2013.
† Appearances (Goals).

Murray Davidson (born 7 March 1988 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish footballer, currently playing for St. Johnstone.

Early career

Born in Edinburgh, Davidson grew up in the small Borders town of Innerleithen where he played for the local sports club Leithen Vale, in the same team as Ross Campbell, who would go on to represent Hibernian and Dunfermline Athletic, and Steven Notman, who was to play for Hibernian and Berwick Rangers. The team was the most successful in the sports club's history, winning countless trophies both at home and abroad, and a number of the boys, including Davidson, went on to play at a higher level.

Club career

Livingston

After appearing for Leithen Vale, Davidson started his senior career with Livingston. In the 2006–07 season, Davidson made his debut against his future club, St. Johnstone, coming on as a substitute for Graham Dorrans in the 85th minutes, in a 2–1 win and would made another appearance, which was his last of the season. The next 2007–08 season, Davidosneanred little bit playing making six appearance, including scoring his first career goal, on the final game of the season, in a 5–2 loss against St. Johnstone.[2] However, during the season, Davidson was sent off twice; first was in a game against Dundee for receiving a second yellow card on 11 March 2008[3] and the second was in a game against Greenock Morton for serious foul play in the last minutes.[4] At the end of the 2007–08 season, Davidson signed a two-year deal with the club.[5]

The next 2008–09 season was proved to be a breakout season for Davidson, making an impressive display and scored six goals this season, including a brace against Dunfermline Athletic in a 4–2 win on 10 March 2009.[6] However at the end of the season, the club faced further financial problems and were on the verge of being liquidated before a deal was struck to save the club, but were subsequently demoted to the Scottish Third Division. Shortly after the end of the season, Davidson was subjected a bid, alongside Dave Mackay, from Scottish clubs like Dundee[7] and Motherwell.[8] Following the club's demotion to the Scottish Third Division, Davidson believes the SFL is wrong to punish Livingston, believing Angelo Massone should be the blame.[9] Davidson also stated that he a strained relationship with Massone, which at one point, he arranged Davidson to go on trial to Parma, but turned them down.[10]

St. Johnstone

2009/10 season

At the end of the 2008/09 season, he transferred to St. Johnstone and signed a three-year contract with the club.[11] Davidson made his debut in a St. Johnstone shirt in a 5–0 win over Stenhousemuir in the Co-Operative Insurance Cup.[12] Davidson scored his first goal on his league debut, a 2–2 draw against Motherwell.[13] He scored again two weeks later, in a 2–2 draw against Hearts.[14] Davidson quickly became a regular first team player and made a significant impact. On 30 March 2010, Davidson scored against Rangers in a 4–1 win.[15] In his first season, Davidson made 39 appearance in all competitions and scored five times. On 13 May 2010, Davidson signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him until 2013.[16][17]

2010/11 season

In the 2010/11 season, Davidson retained his first team status. He scored his first goal of the season, in the second round of Scottish League Cup, in a 2–1 win over Morton. However, in a match against Rangers, on 28 August 2010, Davidson soon got injured and was stretched off in the first half after clashing with team-mate Marcus Haber.[18] Davidson soon managed to recover from the injury ahead of the next match.[19] Davidson scored in the quarter-final of the Scottish League Cup, in a 3–2 loss against Celtic.[20] In a match against Kilmarnock, on 6 November 2010, Davidson again got injured and was stretched off in the first half.[21] Davidson made forty-three appearances and scored three times in all competitions, failing to fulfill a promise to score more goals than the last season.[22]

2011/12 season

Early in the 2011/12 season, Rangers had a bid for Davidson turned down by St. Johnstone. The offer was believed to be in the region of £250,000.[23] Davidson also attracted interests from Wolves,[24] Bolton and Everton.[25] Davidson scored his first goal of the season, in the second round of Scottish League Cup, in a 3–0 win over Livingston. In a match against Dundee United on 27 August 2011, Davidson suffered a knee injury and was stretched off in the first half.[26] After three months lay-off, due to injury, Davidson made his return on 15 October 2011, in a 2–0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[27][28] Despite the injury, Davidson continued to attracted interests, mostly from Rangers.[29] Manager Steve Lomas said he would sell Davidson, but only for a valuation of £1m.[30] Rangers' interest in signing Davidson ended with the club entering administration in February 2012.[31][32] On 25 February 2012, Davidson scored his first league goal in over two years, in a 3–1 win over Dunfermline Athletic.[33] He soon scored his second in a 2–1 win over Hearts on 24 March.[34] Unlike the first-two season, Davidson playing time was reduced to twenty-seven league appearance, due to recurring injuries; and made thirty-one appearance and scoring five goals in all competitions.

2012/13 season

In the 2012–13 season, Davidson was appointed as a vice-captain.[35] St. Johnstone had qualified for the Europa League. In the second qualifying round, St. Johnstone played Turkish side Eskişehirspor but they proved to be too strong, as Saints lost 2–0 away and drew 1–1 at home. Davidson said captaining the team against a European side was a 'massive honour'.[36] Davidson scored his first league goal of the season on 12 August, in a 1–1 draw against Motherwell.[37] Then in early-October, Davidson scored two goals in two consecutive games, against St. Mirren and Kilmarnock respectively. Later in the 2012–13 season, Davidson went on to score league goals against Kilmarnock (and another on 9 March 2013), St. Mirren and Ross County. Davidson made thirty-eight appearance and scoring eight times in all competitions. As his contract was set to expire at the end of the 2012–13 season, talks over a new contract started in mid-December by offering him a two-year deal.[38] Davidson turned down a new deal and also rejected a pre-contract offer from Rangers, announcing his intention to move to England.[39] Davidson said he wanted to lead the club to third place and refused to ruled out to stay at the club for another season.[40] In April, Davidson rejected several offers on a pre-contract deal, to sort out his future when the season ended.[41] On the last game of the season, Davidson played his last match, in a 2–0 win over Motherwell and after the match, he expressed "sadness" to leave the club.[42]

2013/14 season

As his contract ended, Davidson was told by the club he could return in the future if his search for a new club in England was unsuccessful.[43] Following St. Johnstone win over Rosenberg in the Europa League to send the club through to the next round, Davidson rejoined the club on a one-year contract after failing to secure a move south.[44] After the move, Davidson said that re-signing for St Johnstone made him feel wanted.[45] Davidson's first game after rejoining the club came in the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie, coming on as a substitute, in a 1–0 win over Belarus side Minsk.[46] However, Davidson didn't play in the next leg, as St. Johnstone would later be eliminated by Minsk after a penalty shootout.[47] Under new manager Tommy Wright, Davidson position was described as "presence felt before the season's much older" by the BBC Sport.[48] Davidson scored his first goal since rejoining the club in a 2–0 win over St. Mirren on 11 January 2014.[49] His next game against Hearts was appalling for Davidson, as he came off in the 37th minutes after he torn his patellar tendon, which the game was a 3–3 draw.[50] After having a knee surgery, Manager Wright announced that Davidson is unlikely to play for the rest of the season.[51] After a season with the club winning their first-ever Scottish Cup in their 130-year history, Davidson signed a short term contract until August because the club gave him a green light to make a recovery from his serious injury.[52] Though it was a success for the club to win the Scottish Cup, Davidson expressed his disappointment that he didn't play if it weren't for his injury and also says "missing out makes you more hungry to get that chance again."[53]

International career

Davidson won his first Scotland U21 cap on 10 August 2010 in a 1–1 draw with Sweden in the UEFA Under 21's European Championship qualifiers.[54] This came at the third time of asking after being previously called up, but having to withdraw through injury.[55] On 15 November 2010, Davidson was called up by Scotland manager Craig Levein to the full squad for the first time, to face the Faroe Islands in a friendly on 16 November 2010 at Pittodrie, Aberdeen.[56] He was again included in the full Scotland squad to face Brazil at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium but did not make an appearance.[57][58] His latest call up has come under caretaker manager Billy Stark.[59]

Personal life

In June 2012, Davidson has invested money in two greyhounds, who have won a dozen races this year.[60]

References

  1. ↑ "Murray Davidson". www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
  2. ↑ "St Johnstone 5–2 Livingston". BBC Sport. 26 April 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  3. ↑ "Dundee 2–0 Livingston". BBC Sport. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Morton 1–1 Livingston". BBC Sport. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Davie Hay: Two years to get Livingston back to the SPL". Daily Record. 21 June 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "Livingston 4–2 Dunfermline". BBC Sport. 10 March 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  7. ↑ "Dundee line up £75K bid for Livingston duo". Daily Record. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  8. ↑ "Motherwell star Brian McLean targets a new deal and a place in Europe". Daily Record. 13 May 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  9. ↑ "SFL are wrong to punish the new guys at Livingston, says ex-Lion Murray Davidson". Daily Record. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "I was shunned because of my love for Livi, says Davidson". Daily Record. 24 September 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  11. ↑ Livi duo complete Saints switch, BBC Sport, 15 May 2009.
  12. ↑ , BBC Sport, 1 August 2009.
  13. ↑ "SPL: St Johnstone 2 Motherwell 2". Daily Record. 17 August 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  14. ↑ "SPL: St Johnstone 2 Hearts 2". Daily Record. 31 August 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  15. ↑ "SPL: St Johnstone 4 Rangers 1". Daily Record. 31 March 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  16. ↑ "St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes swoops to sign Jamie Adams from Killie". Daily Record. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  17. ↑ "Murray Davidson heartened by new deal at St Johnstone". Daily Record. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  18. ↑ "Rangers 2 St Johnstone 1". Daily Record. 29 August 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  19. ↑ "Dave Mackay ready to make St Johnstone comeback after recovering from broken back". Daily Record. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "Co-operative Insurance Cup quarter-final: St Johnstone 2 Celtic 3". Daily Record. 28 October 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  21. ↑ "Determined St Johnstone star Murray Davidson shrugs off ankle injury to face Kilmarnock". Daily Record. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  22. ↑ "St Johnstone star Murray Davidson aiming to hit goal trail". Daily Record. 23 July 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  23. ↑ "Rangers yet to consider new Murray Davidson bid". BBC Sport. 21 July 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "Wolves line up St. Johnstone's Davidson". Mirror Football. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  25. ↑ "Everton join list of top-flight English clubs chasing St Johnstone star Murray Davidson". Daily Record. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  26. ↑ "St Johnstone's Callum Davidson missing for five weeks". BBC Sport. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "St Johnstone's Frazer Wright raring to go after overcoming injury woes". Daily Record. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  28. ↑ "St Johnstone ace Murray Davidson: I'm desperate to return from injury hell against Rangers". Daily Record. 15 November 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "Davidson continues deal talks". Football 365. 19 December 2012.
  30. ↑ "St Johnstone manager Steve Lomas slaps £1m price tag on Murray Davidson's head". Daily Record. 21 November 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  31. ↑ "Rangers transfer farce: 10 top targets Ibrox club allowed to get away". Daily Record. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "St Johnstone star Murray Davidson: Rangers problems bring back bad memories of Livingston administration". Daily Record. 19 February 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "St Johnstone 3–1 Dunfermline". BBC Sport. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  34. ↑ "St Johnstone 2–1 Hearts". BBC Sport. 24 March 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  35. ↑ "VICE CAPTAIN ROLE HANDED TO MURRAY DAVIDSON". Perth St. Johnstone. 13 July 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  36. ↑ "Murray Davidson admits leading out St Johnstone in Europa League will be 'massive honour'". Daily Record. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  37. ↑ "SPL: Motherwell 1 St Johnstone 1". Daily Record. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  38. ↑ "Murray Davidson set to begin talks over new St Johnstone deal". Daily Record. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  39. ↑ "St Johnstone ace Murray Davidson sets his sights on move to England". Daily Record. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  40. ↑ "St Johnstone star Murray Davidson keen for new challenge but refuses to rule out prolonged stint with Saints". Daily Record. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  41. ↑ "Patience of a Saint". The Scottish Sun (subscription required). 23 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  42. ↑ "Sadness and joy for Murray Davidson at St Johnstone farewell". The Courier. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  43. ↑ "Murray Davidson keen for things to stick at St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  44. ↑ "Murray Davidson rejoins jubilant St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  45. ↑ "Murray Davidson: 'I'm at St Johnstone because they make me feel wanted'". STV Sport. 31 July 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  46. ↑ "FC Minsk 0 St Johnstone 1: Perth men's Europa League heroics continue in Belarus". Daily Record. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  47. ↑ "St. Johnstone 0 – 1 Minsk". UEFA. 8 August 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  48. ↑ "St Johnstone still have plenty in the tank". BBC Sport. 21 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  49. ↑ "St Johnstone 2–0 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 11 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  50. ↑ "St Johnstone 3–3 Heart of Midlothian". BBC Sport. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  51. ↑ "St Johnstone's Murray Davidson ruled out for season with injury". BBC Sport. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  52. ↑ "Davidson agrees contract to complete rehabilitation". Herald Scotland. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  53. ↑ "St Johnstone’s greatest day was ‘horrible’ for injured Murray Davidson". The Courier. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2014.
  54. ↑ "Under21: Scotland 1, Sweden 1". The Scottish Football Association. 10 August 2010.
  55. ↑ "Player Biography – Murray Davidson". Perth St Johnstone.
  56. ↑ "Scotland 3 – 0 Faroe Islands". BBC Sport. 16 November 2010.
  57. ↑ "Scotland squad for Brazil friendly". The Scottish Football Association. 17 March 2–11. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  58. ↑ "MURRAY GETS CALL UP TO THE FULL SCOTLAND SQUAD". Perth St Johnstone. 17 March 2011.
  59. ↑ Official, St Johnstone. "Murray Davidson call up". St Johnstone. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  60. ↑ "Sunday's Scottish gossip". BBC Sport. 10 June 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2013.

External links