Jack Baird is hoping that familiarity between three of St Johnstone’s new defensive signings will help the Perth club hit the ground running this season.
Simo Valakari’s backline could have a ‘made in Morton’ theme when the friendlies and Premier Sports Cup games get underway, with the centre-back, Morgan Boyes and Reghan Tumilty all ex-Cappielow men.
When there’s as big a squad overhaul as the one Simo Valakari is overseeing at McDiarmid Park, players who already know each other’s games will be invaluable.
“It’s obviously good to have some familiar faces,” said Baird.
“Morgan is very comfortable on the ball and you can see the good grounding he got (at Liverpool’s academy).
“He’s strong and aggressive, so I enjoy playing next to him.
“I’m glad he made the move with me because we already have that partnership and relationship.
“I also played with Reghan before for a few months.
“He has real energy, is very attacking and good with the ball going forward.
“Reghan has played in the Championship for a number of years and has done well everywhere he’s been.
“At right centre-back, I could be between two guys I’ve played with before.
“Having those past relationships, if the gaffer picks us that is, should make the transition easier because we all know each other’s game.”
Quality signings
It hasn’t just been former team-mates who have caught Baird’s eye.
“It was good to be the first in the door,” said the 29-year-old.
“Then you watch others following you as they sign up as well.
“Everyone the club has brought in I’ve thought ‘that’s a great signing’ because they’re all people I’ve either played with or played against in the Championship.
“So, I know the quality they’ve got from both sides of the fence, whether it’s been with me or against me.
“The Championship is such a difficult league.
“It takes a bit of getting used to and once you adjust, the quality players do well.
“We have signed that kind of quality.”
Leadership
Baird was a Cappielow captain and hasn’t found it hard to make his voice heard at a new club.
“I would be one of the louder voices in a dressing-room anyway,” he said. “That comes with age and the amount of time I’ve played in this league.
“With the position I play, being organised is part of the job and that involves talking to people.
“That’s something I’m comfortable with.
“A few of the lads have asked me about the Championship so I’ve told them how tough it is.
“It doesn’t stop.
“You don’t get the international breaks as much so it’s a long season.
“A lot of it is about making sure you get good results even when you don’t play well.
“There’s not much between the bottom and the top of the division.
“I’ve been at both ends of it, so I know what it’s like from both perspectives.
“There will be weeks you play well and everything falls into place.
“But there will also be a lot of weeks when you just have to dig in, pick up points and keep moving forward.
“If you can get that momentum of picking up points most weeks then you won’t be far away.”
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