St Johnstone v Brechin City: Derek McInnes urges Murray Davidson to put cup before country

Published on Monday 21 March 2011 16:11

ST JOHNSTONE manager Derek McInnes has urged Murray Davidson to help his side book their place in the Scottish Cup semi-final before turning his thoughts to a possible Scotland debut this weekend.

The midfielder has been named in Craig Levein's squad for the friendly against Brazil at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. But first up is tonight's cup replay against Brechin City - live on Sky Sports 1 - as Saints bid to progress to a last-four meeting with Dundee United or Motherwell, before Davidson joins the national team at their training camp in La Manga tomorrow.

McInnes said: "We are all delighted for Murray, the players, staff and supporters. It's a strong squad Scotland have at the moment, especially in the midfield area. We are delighted he has managed to get himself involved and it will be a great experience for him.

"Murray wants to meet up with them being in the semi-final and on the back of a good performance from him and his team. That's the most important job for him first and foremost."

The Perth side have managed to avoid favourites Celtic in the draw for the semi-finals, but McInnes insists his side will not look too far ahead as they prepare for this evening's televised clash at McDiarmid Park.

He said: "It's dangerous for us to speak about the semi-final. We've got a job to do first. Every team left in the cup will fancy themselves and imagine themselves getting to a final.

Irn-Bru Second Division side Brechin earned another crack at Saints after battling out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the first time of asking at Glebe Park.

McInnes - who must do without the cup-tied on-loan Hearts winger Arvydas Novikovas - said: "They didn't surprise us. We thought they were a decent, capable side and we gave them every respect."

Brechin manager Jim Weir has injury doubts over Gerry McLachlan and Jamie Redman, although Kevin Byers should be available after missing out against Alloa at the weekend.

Weir said: "I will give the guys to the last minute to prove themselves as this is a massive game and I want our strongest team out to have any chance of an upset. It is our first game live on TV and there is also a semi-final berth at stake, so it is huge for us."

Weir is looking to use his powers of persuasion on Aberdeen manager Craig Brown to allow on-loan Aberdeen youngster Mitchel Megginson to feature. Brown said no for the first game.