By Ian Roache

ST JOHNSTONE are determined to make an early impression on the first division after spending too much time playing catch-up in recent seasons.

Saints will start their league campaign at home to Livingston as many people’s favourites to win promotion to the SPL.

They are widely viewed as probable pace-setters—but it’s been the same story in the past only for them to fall behind the likes of St Mirren, Gretna and Hamilton.

In their bright, young manager Derek McInnes they have someone who is keen to take a lead and maintain it.

“I think it is fair to say that we did not get going until it was too late last season.

“We are conscious of that and would like things to be different, although every manager will say he wants to get off to a good start,” said McInnes.

“It just gets a bit demoralising if you are too far behind the leaders because you end up with no room for error in every game.

“That puts pressure on players and it makes it harder to be successful as a team.

“We had Hamilton setting the pace in the first division last time and they showed us all how to set the pace.

“There will be five or six teams in the division with the same goal as ourselves—promotion—while others will have a different aim (avoiding relegation).

“What I can say is that we will be fit and ready to mount a challenge.”

McInnes took over from Owen Coyle in mid-season last term, so how different is it to be in charge of reshaping the side?

“The big responsibility is getting the right players in to replace those you have lost,” he said.

“I am bringing in my own people and while we may have trimmed the squad a bit I feel we are leaner.”

The turnaround in staff has been substantial, with Liam Craig (Falkirk), Derek Holmes (Rotherham), Stuart McCaffrey (Inverness Caley Thistle), Euan McLean (Dundee United), Chris Millar (Morton), Collin Samuel (Toronto) and Gavin Swankie (Dundee) all arriving at McDiarmid Park.

“I am confident that we have more options in every department and have been really pleased by the fitness levels,” added McInnes.