Tommy Wright has called him the fastest man in Scottish football.
And Michael O’Halloran would be happy to put his manager’s claim to the test.
It might not be Bolt v Gatlin but the St Johnstone flyer would gladly sign up for a Premiership sprint-off.
O’Halloran has come back this season quicker than last, and that isn’t just a coincidence.
The former Bolton and Celtic man knows he’s got a valuable weapon that opposition defences struggle to deal with, and he’s determined to make the most of it.
“I think there is always room for improvement in anyone’s game and maybe I am that wee bit quicker off the mark than last season,” he said.
“I have been working in the gym on leg weights and squats which are designed to give you that explosive start out of the blocks.
“Pace is a big part of my game, massive. I want to be as quick as I can be and play to my strengths.
“I have always been blessed with pace. My mum and dad both say they were both good runners so maybe it is in the genes.
“I haven’t done a 100m since I was at school so it would be interesting to see what my times would be. Like a lot of players I enjoyed the athletics when I was younger.
“But I won’t be measuring myself against Usain Bolt any time soon. I don’t think I’m in that league.
“He’s at a different level entirely. But he doesn’t have to ride a few challenges out on the track.
“And in football you have to be able to run and control the ball at the same time. He doesn’t have to do that either!”
O’Halloran added: “If they were to put together a football sprint challenge I’d be up for it. But I’m not too sure the managers would be keen, especially if someone pulled a hammy on the track.
“There are quite a few quick players in Scottish football, lads like Jamesy Forrest at Celtic and Johnny Hayes and Peter Pawlett at Aberdeen.
“A pal from my Bolton days, Tope Obadeyi at Kilmarnock, is another guy who is fast.”
O’Halloran was Saints’ top scorer last season, but he is just as valuable to the team as a creator.
He said: “The manager has talked to me about scoring more goals but setting them up is also part of my game. It is good to have a manager who believes in me.
“I have found it easier to cut in from the right and pick someone out. Last season I was through the middle or on the left. But it is good to be versatile and I will go out and do my best in whatever position the gaffer wants me to play. I’m not fussed as long as I make the starting eleven.”
O’Halloran has good memories of playing Motherwell at McDiarmid from last season. He scored twice against them in a match that sparked a surge up the Premiership table.
“That got me going,” he recalled. “It was a big game for both clubs after bad starts. But we kicked on after that and went on a great run. Hopefully the same happens this season.
“I actually made a mistake for their opener and I think the gaffer was thinking of taking me off. Luckily I got the first of my two goals just before the break.
“It was a turning point I suppose for me. You have to forget about mistakes quickly and get on with it.
“It has been a frustrating start to this season. There have been games we should have won. The goals we have lost have been uncharacteristic of us. We were so solid last season and we would grind out narrow wins. So it has not been an ideal start.
“But if we stiffen it up at the back we have already shown we have goals in the team. Hopefully we can get that first win.”
Saints should have David Wotherspoon available this afternoon.