St Johnstone are the “perfect” club for Liam Craig, the midfielder has admitted.
Craig, who has signed a new 12-month deal after returning to McDiarmid Park from Hibs last summer, believes he has repaid the faith shown in him by manager Tommy Wright and the club’s supporters.
So staying for another campaign was always going to be his preference.
“I’m delighted to get the contract sorted for another year,” Craig said.
“We had the initial conversation with the manager a few months ago and it was sorted out quickly when the talks got serious.
“The manager wanted me here and that was good enough for me.
“A lot of clubs didn’t fancy giving me a chance last summer but fortunately Tommy knew what sort of person and player I was and felt I could add something.
“It was great to come back to St Johnstone. Sometimes as a player you get a club which is the perfect fit and that’s the case here.
“I had five-and-a-half great years here and I knew the fans would give me a chance if I had one or two bad games early on. They have given me great support again.
“I have been delighted to have played the last five games in a more central role. But more important the club has had another great season and I feel I have played my part.
“The last thing I wanted was to come here and for the club not so measure up to the achievements of the last few years.
“It was disappointing to lose the semi-final but to finish fourth is another massive achievement.”
The season has finished on a high for Craig personally and the team as a whole, and he believes Saints are well-placed to pick up where they left off when 2016/17 gets underway.
“It’s incredible to go undefeated after the split,” he said. “A great achievement by the club.
“It has answered the doubters who questioned whether we deserved to be in the top six.
“We lost a semi-final in January and one of our most influential players in Michael O’Halloran. That took its toll but we had a great start to the season and we bounced back from the mid-season dip in form.
“The fans will enjoy their summer and look forward to next season.
“We’re not in Europe despite finishing fourth again but it means a longer break. It’s important to make the most of that in terms of rest and recovery and hit the ground running at the start of next season.”
Wright said: “Liam has signed a year with a year’s option. He has done well for us since coming back. He missed pre-season and took time to find his feet but he has finished the season strongly and deserves another deal.
“He has chipped in with goals. Liam is adaptable so he is a valuable player to have in the squad.
“I was surprised no-one had come in for him after leaving Hibs. But it proved to be to our benefit.”
