ST Johnstone midfielder Murray Davidson always fancied himself as a goalkeeper. So he leapt at the chance to pull on the gloves for 20 minutes in Dave Mackay’s testimonial match with Dundee.
But after conceding two goals in a 5-3 defeat Davidson admits regulars Alan Mannus and Zander Clark have nothing to fear. He’ll be back in more familiar territory for tomorrow’s home game against Rangers.
Davidson will be going head to head with one-time Livingston team-mate Graham Dorrans for the first time and he’ll be delighted to get back in his comfort zone.
Davidson struck a bizarre deal with manager Tommy Wright to show his credentials as a keeper.
He explained: “When the testimonial came about I jokingly said I could maybe get a run in goals. The gaffer said: ‘Have a haircut and a shave first – and then you can play for 20 minutes.’
“I came in three or four days later with my hair cut and shaved – and he said I could play. I thought he was joking. But before I knew it, I was standing in goals. Even though it was a testimonial, there was a bit of me wishing I had never said anything.”
Davidson believes long-time friend Dorrans is the beating heart of the Rangers team.
He said: “Even when he was in my youth team at Livingston, he was Rangers daft. I know from speaking to him that he was desperate to join.
"When I saw him pre-season, I had a laugh and joke with him, said: ‘You finally made it!’
“Having a couple of people like that in your team is a massive, massive help. If everybody isn’t aware what it means to play for Rangers, someone like Graham can certainly get it through to them.
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