Dorman tipped to bounce back after missing out on Wales squad

Published on Friday 6 November 2009 22:59

ST MIRREN manager Gus MacPherson has backed Andy Dorman to recover quickly from the blow of failing to make the Wales squad for next Saturday's friendly against Scotland.

Chester-born Dorman's international future has been the subject of speculation in Scotland after he became eligible for Wales last month under the new five-year school rule. The 27-year-old has been one of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League's top performers since joining Saints from New England Revolution in January 2008. Wales assistant manager Roy Evans watched the midfielder score his 19th goal for the club during the recent 3-3 draw with Motherwell, but he has not done enough to force his way into John Toshack's squad.

Dorman, who moved to north Wales when he was one, has been careful not to talk up his prospects and MacPherson believes he will simply work even harder to impress Toshack. The St Mirren manager said: "He has shown in this period what a level-headed boy he is because there has been a lot of speculation over the last four or five months, and he has just got on with it. He is a good professional.

"He plays the game the right way and I believe he will just get on with it and see the next few months as trying to impress that little bit more whenever he is watched by the Welsh FA."

Dorman will get a quick chance to make a name for himself when St Mirren visit champions Rangers today. Walter Smith's side go into the match in third place in the SPL amid claims in some quarters that the Old Firm duopoly is looking vulnerable.

MacPherson believes his improving side can take something at Ibrox but accepts that Celtic and Rangers will show their strength over the course of the season.

"The criticism has come from all angles this season but we've only played ten games," he said.

"If the criticism is still of that level after 30 games it will be an easier question to answer.

"It's still very early but I said weeks ago that I don't see any other team winning the title other than Rangers or Celtic because of the resources they have.

"If you've got 50,000 season-ticket holders it's very difficult to compete with, unless someone comes in with an astronomical amount of money. But then you would fear for the existence of that club, whether they could sustain that level of investment because the infrastructure at that club wouldn't exist."

MacPherson added: "Over 90 minutes, you always believe you have the opportunity to win the game. Inverness won at Ibrox last season so it shows you anything is possible.

"We beat them at Love Street last season and have drawn in the past at both Parkhead and Ibrox. You're always telling your players that they must have the belief."

While Dorman missed out on a place in the Wales squad to face Scotland next weekend, teenage Swansea goalkeeper David Cornell was given a shock call-up for the friendly in Cardiff. The 18-year-old has made just one appearance for the Swans but has been named in Toshack's 23-man squad.

Fulham midfielder Simon Davies, who has missed the last six games since foot surgery, returns for the match at Cardiff City Stadium.

West Ham United defender Danny Gabbidon has also been selected despite having been out for six weeks with calf and hip problems.