Lee Croft is glad to finally be a Saint in Europe after missing out on the club’s last two continental campaigns.
Croft had just left the club in the summer of 2012 before they went on to play against Turkish side Eskisehirspor.
He missed out again last year as the Perth men recorded a famous win over top Norwegian club Rosenborg before going out in heartbreaking fashion at home to FC Minsk of Belarus.
Now, though, Croft is ready to sample life on the European stage after a 10-year gap that goes all the way back to his time at Manchester City.
And he will be a key man for Tommy Wright’s team when they line-up for Thursday night’s Europa League second qualifying round first leg against FC Luzern in Switzerland.
“I left St Johnstone at the end of the season when we qualified for Europe for the first time,” he recalled.
“I had been here on loan but went back to Oldham. If I recall, we needed the result of the Scottish Cup final to go our way (Hearts beat Hibs 5-1 to lift the trophy).
“It did and the lads ended up going to Turkey. But I didn’t come back so missed that game, obviously.
“And then last season I didn’t have a club when they were in Europe. So I’m going to get a crack at it on the third time of asking thankfully! I was involved with Man City when we played TNS of Wales about 10 years ago but I’ve not played in Europe since then.
“I remember looking out for the club’s results in Europe last season and seeing, for example, that Stevie May scored against Rosenborg.
“It was brilliant for the club and the lads have all told me they should have gone through against Minsk.
“It was good for the fans to win away in Norway especially so there will be an expectation on us this year.
“That is something we will have to cope with, not just in Europe, because of what we did last year. It’s a great thing for a club like this and was a bonus on top of winning the Scottish Cup.
“As players you want to be playing in these games and testing yourself against foreign opposition. We just want to go across there, get a good result and come back to Perth with plenty to play for.”
So can Saints go even further than they managed the two rounds they managed last summer?
Croft isn’t thinking too far ahead, saying: “You have to aim to keep moving forward and obviously it would be a massive achievement to get through to the group stages.
“But that’s miles in the future. We are just looking at this game and we will take each step as it comes.”
Croft and his colleagues have done a little bit of homework on Luzern and will be doing more.
He added: “We’ve watched some videos of Luzern and they look a really good side. It’s going to be tough but I’m sure they’ll think that about us as well.
“They’re a good attacking side but we’re in good shape so hopefully we’ll be able to nick something across there.”
Croft signed off with a pledge to his best for the supporters who are flying out to back the team.
He declared: “I think we’re taking about 1000 fans, which is a great travelling support, so hopefully we’ll make them enjoy their trip.”