St Johnstone first team squad. Back row, from left—Kenny Deuchar, Martin Hardie, David McKay, Steven Anderson, Stuart McCaffrey, Danny Grainger, Murray Davidson, Liam Craig, Graham Gartland. Middle—Alec Cleland, Tommy Campbell, Steven Milne, Kevin Rutkiewicz, Graeme Smith, Alan Main, Euan McLean, Collin Samuel, Andy Jackson, Nick Summersgill, Atholl Henderson, Jocky Peebles. Front—Peter MacDonald, Filipe Morais, Chris Millar, Paul Sheerin, Derek McInnes, Tony Docherty, Jody Morris, Gary Irvine, Kevin Moon, Gavin Swankie.

By Ian Roache

ST JOHNSTONE midfielder Jody Morris has asked to be judged on his play rather than his past when he steps into the SPL spotlight.

During a career in England that started at star-studded Chelsea, moved on to Leeds United then sampled life at Rotherham and Millwall, Morris earned a “bad boy” reputation in the eyes of many observers.

So much so, that he felt it coloured the views of those who reported on his performances.

The little Londoner would be the first to admit he has not been an angel—either on or off the park—but he believes he fell victim to some harsh words from journalists only too keen to punish him for even the slightest indiscretion.

Now, as he prepares for the added publicity that will come with Saints’ transformation from Division One side to Premier League team, Morris hopes that the Scots’ willingness to take him as they find him will continue in the top flight.

“I didn’t have any preconceptions about what Scottish football would be like when I first joined St Johnstone,” said Morris.

“The only thing I knew—and this came from playing down south—was that when you come up against a Scotsman you are in for a game.

“I didn’t know much about the Scottish first division at all, although I had watched the Saints lads in the cup games that were on TV.

“So I came up here with no expectations and it was all about playing football again.

“This has been a fresh start for me.

“I had built up a certain reputation in England because a lot of things happened, both on and off the pitch.

“I know that could have been helped by myself but I think it just became the easy thing to do to criticise me.

“It got to the stage where people would focus on one tiny little thing and blow it out of proportion rather than focus on what was really happening in a game.

“There were times when I had obviously played really well but some journalists just criticised me regardless.

“I am my biggest critic and am harsh on myself but I know when I have played well and when I have not.

“I had read some of the reports and thought it was ridiculous.

“But since I arrived in Scotland people have just taken me as they have found me and that has been refreshing.

“It has given me a new lease of life.

“That is not just for me personally but for my family as well. They are relieved that people are finally giving me a chance and being fair.

“I am not saying I would never want to go back down south again, but what I am saying is that coming to Scotland has shown me that not everyone is the same.”

Morris revealed that the Perth men are quietly confident about their chances of making a positive impact on their return to the top flight after a seven-year sabbatical.

“I am buzzing about the new season,” he said.

“We did what we wanted to do last season because the SPL is where we want to be.

“It is going to be a challenge. Our main aim is to stay up but we want to do as well as we possibly can and there is a belief we can go better than just finishing 11th.

“I think we will bring a freshness to it. The club have not been in the SPL for a long time and neither have a lot of the players.

“We have done well in the cups so we think we are good enough.

“We played Rangers last season and if it were not for certain things happening in that game then we could have won it.

“I think anyone watching on TV that night would have gone away thinking we are not a bad team.

“Looking at the SPL, I see teams we can beat. We are not saying it will be easy but we will give ourselves a chance at it.

“Going to the big stadiums like Parkhead and Ibrox is something I am looking forward to.

“Testing yourself against the best is exciting and now I am older I will probably appreciate it more.

“One thing I have learned is that you never know what is around the corner for you.

“That is what I have said to the lads here, to just go and enjoy this experience, use the atmosphere and the pressure of facing big players and big crowds to inspire you.

“Days like that are what we all play football for.”

A 30-year-old seasoned campaigner, Morris will pass on his knowledge to the younger members of the Perth squad and he will be happy to do so.

“We have a strong squad, there is plenty of depth there and the quality is high,” said the former England youth player.

“Having the numbers was a big factor in winning the league last season and it will be just as important this year.

“It is good to know that when someone drops out there is somebody just as good waiting to come in.

“From the manager’s perspective, it also gives him the options to mix things up for certain games.

“We have made a few signings and I have been very impressed by them.

“Murray Davidson is a very exciting player.

“He is just young and learning the game but having played against him last season I know exactly what he is about.

“At Livingston last season, Leigh Griffiths took all the headlines because he was scoring goals but Murray was just as good.

“When clubs were looking at Griffiths they were also looking at Murray and that shows just how highly people think of him.”

Meanwhile, Saints have suffered a huge double injury blow ahead of tomorrow’s Co-operative Insurance Cup tie away to Stenhousemuir.

It has been confirmed captain Kevin Rutkiewicz will be sidelined for up to six weeks with a medial ligament tear in his knee, while the long-suffering Andy Jackson will have an operation today on his lateral knee ligaments, ruling him out for up to five months.

“Kevin and Andy are obviously two big players for us but we will just have to get on with things,” said manager Derek McInnes.

Martin Hardie’s hamstring injury is not so serious but will still rule him out of tomorrow’s cup tie.

But frontman Peter MacDonald is back training with the squad and could see match action next week.