FIRST INTERVIEW: Former St Johnstone and Hibs has played over 500 matches but had no problem being a trialist for Duncan Ferguson at Inverness Caley Thistle
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David Wotherspoon has been there and done it in football but insists there was no bruised pride or tantrums at being asked to turn trialist at 33.
The St Johnstone legend has won three national trophies – two Scottish Cups and a League Cup – starred for Canada at a World Cup and in a Gold Cup final, and played more than 500 senior matches.
But he had no qualms about donning the metaphorical L plates to prove himself to big Duncan Ferguson and Caley Thistle in training and closed door matches.
Released in the summer after a decade in Perth, Wotherspoon will today be in contention to start a senior competitive match for the first time in almost five months at Morton.
He still feels like he has plenty to give – and everything to prove – and insists he carries the same old hunger to play and win.
The former Saints and Hibs attacker said: “The boys and the club have been very welcoming. They have sorted me out with somewhere to stay up here.
"Unfortunately, I'm away from the family for quite a bit of the week, which is one struggle, but at the same time I’m back playing football, which is the main thing.
"I wanted to sign the right deal for me at that moment in time and, unfortunately, things didn't fall into place before now.
"This opportunity at Inverness came about and I came on trial for a week to show what I can do.
"The manager was happy with what he saw, so he gave me a contract until January. We will see how it goes.
“It's just good to get back playing.
“I didn’t mind being a trialist. I am willing to put the work in to get something you can earn.
"Sometimes people get lost with what they achieve or do.
“They maybe think things should just drop at their feet, whereas I feel I want to show I have still got it at this age and prove I'm still worth it.
"No matter where I am, I will always show the right attitude, give the right effort and show the desire to still play football - it's what I love doing.”
After playing a bounce game against Ross County and 45 minutes in the North of Scotland Cup against Brora Rangers, Wotherspoon feels much closer to readiness.
He is also excited at the opportunity to work with Everton legend Ferguson – and impressed by what he has seen of him so far.
He said: “We've gone two games unbeaten. We're looking good. The new manager has put his ideas in place and we're ready for a tough match at Morton.
"We want three points to start climbing the table. We want to get up to the play-offs and look beyond that.
"It's an important game for us as we need to get back to winning ways after the draw against Partick Thistle.
“We go there feeling positive.
"The manager has put his ideas across about what he wants and he shows it with a great work ethic on the training pitch.
"He also shows his enthusiasm for the game in abundance.
“Boys take that from him and apply it to our training and we look to take that into the games.
"My first thoughts when I first met him was that he was very intimidating! He's taller than I thought.
“But he spoke to me a few times and let me know what his thoughts were.
"He seems like an honest man and it's good to work with someone when they are plain and simple with you.
“The manager knows what I can do. He has seen me play and he's told me what he wants from me in the games.
"I have played against Inverness several times in my career and it was always a tough place to come for a result.
"It's not too long ago this club was in the Premiership.
“I am sure that's where the ambition is, to get back there and to get back playing against the big teams.
"But listen, the Championship is a tough league. Every game is a test, but I am looking forward to it.”
