Tommy Wright has paid tribute to Murray Davidson as St Johnstone's Mr Indestructible prepares to notch up his 300th club appearance.
The 30-year-old has been a key fixture for Saints for almost a decade after moving from Livingston and will rack-up his latest milestone in Saturday's Betfred Cup clash with Queen of the South.
But while he has lost significant periods to injury down the years, Wright has been left astonished by the combative midfielder's ability to bounce back just when bumps and bruises looked certain to rule him out of action.
"He's been a massive player for the club," said Saints boss Wright.
"He's a wholehearted player who on a Thursday or Friday could look like he has no chance of being fit for a game but on the Saturday he makes it.
"He's put his body on the line for the football club and he fully deserves to be reaching this milestone. I think it's a testament to Murray's mental strength that he's making his 300th appearance given the amount of injuries he's had as well.
"I'm delighted for him and let's hope that he goes on to make many more appearances in a Saints shirt."
Saints will be looking to clinch a quarter-final berth when they head to Palmerston and Wright says his men cannot afford to play beneath their best against Gary Naysmith's Doonhamers.
He said: "At this level you've got to play well to win football matches and this is no different. This is a good side with a very good manager – Gary Naysmith has done a brilliant job – and we need to be at our best tomorrow.
"If we put in a performance like we did against Kilmarnock we could find ourselves out of the competition. However, we played well against Hibs so hopefully we can see more of the same."
Dundee, meanwhile, have bolstered their ranks ahead of their second-round encounter with Ayr at Dens Park.
Manager Neil McCann, yesterday completed the signing of Finland international striker Benjamin Kallman.
The 20-year-old has joined on a season-long loan from Inter Turku but the Tayside club say they have an option to buy the forward.
Kallman has scored 19 goals in the Finnish top flight as well as four for Finland Under-21s, and he made his full international debut in a friendly victory over Jordan in January alongside Dundee midfielder Glen Kamara.
A club statement read: "Benjamin is one of the hottest prospects in his homeland and the club has beaten off competition from European clubs to secure his services."
Kallman will be on the bench for Saturday's match and McCann is excited by his arrival.
"We clearly needed help in the forward department to try to spread the responsibility," McCann said.
"He's one we have been working on for quite a bit of time. He knows where the goal is, he likes to get between the posts, he is powerful, he is really quick and I think he is going to add real directness to our front line.
"It will take him a wee bit of time probably to get up to speed because I still believe Scottish football is quick and catches even the best players by surprise.
"So we can't judge him too quickly but he is raring to go, he seems really excited and is settling in really quickly. He sees it as a real opportunity to go to the next level."
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