The current heatwave may be making it hard work but Murray Davidson is delighted to be sweating it out in pre-season training.

Murray, who along with Dave Mackay was snapped up from Livingston just days after the end of last season, has told the Saints Official Website that he is pleased to have training underway.

“It was great to seal my move to Saints so early in the close season but it led to a long summer for me. I enjoyed the break and the rest from football but when you join a new club you are desperate to get involved so I’m delighted to have started pre-season training.

“I’ve been made very welcome by the other lads – I think we are all enjoying getting back into although it – and although it is hard going in this heat it is great to be up and running. The manager has told us to work hard but enjoy it.”

He may be away from Almondvale but Murray’s thoughts are still with some of the people at financially-stricken Livingston.

“I have some close friends there and I have great sympathy for them. It must be a difficult time for the staff behind the scenes and I am particularly sorry for the supporters of the club who were very good to me. For their sake, I hope a solution can be found.”

After a week of work in Perth, the team head off to the same Warwick training base that served them so well last summer before returning north and getting some closed door football under their belts.

The first public outing is at Ayr on Monday 20th July.

Meanwhile, the club have now secured jersey sponsors for the SPL campaign and it is anticipated that the new replica home kit will be available towards the end of July.

It was only seven weeks ago tonight that the curtain came down on our championship season but it was back to work for the first team today as they met up for the start of pre-season training.

It is five weeks until the opening competitive fixture against Stenhousemuir in the
Co-operative Insurance Cup and seven weeks until the start of the SPL campaign and Manager Derek McInnes feels that the build up to these games over the next few weeks will be vital the club’s aspirations.

All the players were tested for weight and fitness levels today with Derek happy with the outcome for all involved and there was a short warm up exercise on the all-weather pitch at the stadium but the players will not be over-doing things in this first week of training.

New players Kenny Deuchar, Murray Davidson and Dave Mackay were all present today and there was one other new face as the Saints gaffer announced the arrival of former Dundee United, Rangers and Everton full-back Alec Cleland as youth team coach.

Saints will be running an Under 19 side in the coming season as well as youth sides at 13, 15 and 16 year old levels and Cleland was identified as the man to take on the Under 19s.

Cleland held a similar post at Inverness but with the Highland side having been relegated he has fallen victim to the cuts made at the Caledonian Stadium and Derek is delighted to bring him to Perth.

He said: “I’ve known Alec since our days together at Rangers and watched his career develop.

“He did well at Inverness and his U19 squad made the last four of the Scottish Cup. Alec will be a real asset as we try to bring more of our own players to join Kevin Moon and Andy Jackson in the first team squad and it’s great to have him on board for the start of pre-season.

“He will work with the players Paul Sheerin brought on last season. Paul did a great job with our kids but his focus has to be on playing now that we are entering the SPL. Tommy Campbell will remain in overall charge of your youth development programme.”

The side’s preparations build up in mid July with three closed door matches before the first public outing against Ayr United at Somerset Park on Monday 20th July.

A trip to Northern Ireland takes in games against Distillery (Wednesday 22nd July @ 7.30pm) and Glenavon (Friday 24th July @ 7.30pm) before a game at Central Cowdenbeath on Tuesday 28th July @ 7.30pm.

The season starts with that Co-operative Insurance Cup 1st round tie at Stenhousemuir on Saturday 1st August at 3pm and a week later, Saturday 8th August, Burnley visit McDiarmid Park at 3pm.

It is now just a month until the St Johnstone FC Fanfest at McDiarmid Park.

The Fanfest, celebrating 125 years of St Johnstone FC and also 20 years of playing at McDiarmid Park takes place on the all-weather pitch adjacent to the stadium on Sunday 26th July between 4pm and 8pm and among the attractions are the appearance of fans’ favourites from the past 20 years, an ‘Abba The Concert’ tribute band, the Radio Tay Roadshow, funfair, food and drink outlets and also the chance to purchase replica kit for the new season from Surridge Sports.

Earlier this month we asked fans to vote for their favourite five players from the McDiarmid Park era and we have received a great response with many hundreds of votes cast.

At the end of the vote we will announce the overall top five but many former players from the McDiarmid Park era are being invited along to the event.

You still have time to vote - to take part, simply list your FIVE favourite Saints players from the club’s years at McDiarmid Park (1989 onwards) and e-mail your choices to enquiries@perthsaints.co.uk

We are also happy to accept votes via the postal system for anyone without access to e-mail.

Tickets for the event are now on sale priced at £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s and we’re delighted to announce that anyone buying a Season Ticket for next season will receive a ticket for the event with the compliments of the club.

This is sure to be a great afternoon and all profits from the event will go Radio Tay’s Cash for Kids charity.