NEW ST Johnstone striker Collin Samuel will forever be grateful to Owen Coyle for helping to turn him into a better player, writes Ian Roache.

However, that won’t stop the Trinidad and Tobago international from trying to make the former Saints manager suffer on his return to Perth tomorrow.

The pair were never under the same roof at McDiarmid Park but they did work closely together as players at first Falkirk then Dundee United.

Samuel, who joined St Johnstone earlier this summer from Canadian side Toronto, will enjoy a reunion with his former journeyman but will then strive to beat Coyle’s Burnley team.

“I obviously know Owen very well and I really got along with him when we were at Falkirk and United,” said Samuel.

“My time at Falkirk was the first time I really made an impact in football—my big breakthrough—and I got a lot of help from Owen.

“We had a great time out on the pitch and he encouraged me to be positive in my play.

“I would agree that he played a crucial role in my development and learned a lot from him.

“His feet were like magnets the way the ball stuck to them and he was always in the right place at the right time to get goals, even during training.

“He was always there to pounce on a pass and, as he kept reminding everyone, he was the top scorer when we were at Falkirk.

“So it will be great to see him again but the most important thing for me is to play a match for St Johnstone and do well.

“My last game for Toronto was back in March 29 so that’s a while ago.

“This match will be a big test for me—as it will be for everybody in our team—but I want to beat Burnley and really start looking forward to the new season.

“I want to do well here and that means scoring goals to help the club get to the SPL.”

Sammy is one of a group of players with niggly injuries—Martin Hardie, Jody Morris, Steven Anderson and Kevin James are the others—but is hopeful he can shake off his calf problem in time.

Tony Docherty was deputising for manager Derek McInnes, who was on the hunt for a left-back yesterday, and the assistant boss insisted the mood is still upbeat at the club despite a 4-2 loss to Inverness Caley Thistle at the weekend.

“Saturday’s game was a really good exercise for us and there were a lot more positives than negatives,” said Docherty.

“We know where we need to improve and are working on that.

“Now we can look forward to Burnley coming here and it will be a good game against quality players.

“It is another opportunity to get bedded down ahead of the first game of the season.

“It will also be great to see Owen again and, knowing how competitive he is, there will be nothing friendly about his approach to the game. He will be his usual screeching self on the sidelines!”