By Ian Roache

ST JOHNSTONE defender Gary Irvine enjoyed sure and steadfast success when he played in the same Boys’ Brigade team as Graeme Smith.

Now the old partnership has been renewed at McDiarmid Park after Smith’s move from Rangers earlier this month, Irvine believes there could be good times ahead for the duo.

Both men travelled with the Perth party that arrived in Belfast yesterday and could feature when Saints take on Distillery in Lisburn tonight for the first of two friendlies.

“Graeme signed recently and I’m happy about that because I grew up with him in Airdrie,” said Irvine.

“We stay round the corner from each other and played for the same Boys’ Brigade team when we were kids.

“He is a couple of years older than me but we were in the same side and I think that season we won all four trophies we were challenging for.

“Hopefully he is a lucky omen for me and by coming here some of that old magic will rub off.

“For winning the BB league we got a tour of Broadwood Stadium and a medal. We were talking about it the other day, we both still have them and some of the newspaper clippings from it as well.”

Irvine has been enjoying the tough summer schedule and is relishing the SPL challenge that awaits St Johnstone next month.

“Pre-season has been good—there is a real enthusiasm about the place so it has been enjoyable,” he added.

“As well as Graeme, there are a few new faces so the last wee while has been a good chance for the lads to get to know them.

“It is all about getting ready for the SPL and when the fixtures came out it really sank in that we are heading to the Premier.

“The boys were all looking at the lists to see who we would be playing on the opening day and facing the Old Firm.

“It was a great feeling because we had put in the hard work over the last year and this is the reward.

“It was definitely different from previous seasons when we were frustrated at not getting promotion and were left looking at long journeys like Ross County and Queen of the South.

“No disrespect to them, but we would much rather be heading to Pittodrie or Tannadice.

“It is an exciting time—this is what the players and the fans have dreamed of for a long time, so now it’s getting closer everyone is just excited by it.

“We’re fully prepared for going up. We know it is going to be tough but we are confident of being able to compete.

“It holds no fears for us— that’s for sure.

“Nobody is thinking it’s going to be easy—far from it—but we are confident of making an impact in the SPL.”

With the Northern Irish season already up and running, Irvine is prepared to be tested by Distillery tonight.

“They will be ahead of us fitness-wise but that is a good thing because it means we will have to work harder,” he said.

“The work you do now stands you in good stead for the season ahead so nobody minds doing it too much.”

Manager Derek McInnes left Andy Jackson, Kevin Moon and Peter MacDonald in Scotland but they will continue to train under the watchful eye of coach Alex Cleland.

“They wouldn’t be ready to play so there was no point in bringing them over with us but they will still be working with Alex,” said McInnes.

“Looking ahead to the game, it is all about keeping things ticking over fitness-wise and we are all looking forward to it.”

Felipe Morais, who is targeting a return to Saints, was on the flight and will be looking to get on the scoresheet again after hitting the target in Monday’s 2-0 win over Ayr United.

* There has been a change to the kick-off time for Friday’s game against Glenavon, which will now start at 8pm.