Underdog tag suits Scots says ex-PNE man

Callum Davidson insists Scotland have nothing to fear when they take on England at Hampden Park on Saturday.
Callum DavidsonCallum Davidson
Callum Davidson

The former Preston North End left-back, now St Johnstone’s assistant manager, cut short a family holiday, having been invited by Gordan 
Strachan to join the international set-up.

Having been part of the Scotland side the last time they beat England – Don Hutchinson scoring the only goal in Euro 2000 qualifying play-off second leg at Wembley – Davidson believes 
the current crop should relish being written off.

“We are good when we’re underdogs,” said the 40-year-old.

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“It’s England’s game to lose. They expect to win, everybody down there expects them to win.

“As a coach, seeing ur boys’ commitment and attitude to training is spot-on.

“There are a lot of good football players in that group and a lot of them have been successful this year.

“There is a positive frame of mind and we go into the game needing a result.

“There’s only one way to look at it.”

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The call to join Strachan’s coaching staff came as 
something of a shock for 
Davidson, who also played for Blackburn and Leicester in between starting and finishing his playing 
career with St Johnstone.

“I got a phonecall from 
Gordon towards the end of the season asking if I would join up with the squad and I was 
delighted to be asked,” he said.

“It was a pretty easy 
answer.

“It was a bit of a bolt from the blue. It’s nice to be recommended.

“This is the early stages of my coaching career so it’s great to be asked along for such a big game.

“These are the games you look back on.

“You have to remember them as a player.

“Now I want to be involved in them as a coach.”