I’m just keeping up appearances
Craig out to set Saints record in style with win
LIAM CRAIG has savoured memorable wins over Tayside rivals Dundee down the years.
He’s desperate to celebrate a new all-time appearance record for St Johnstone with three points today.
The veteran midfielder admits he’ll be emotional at passing former team-mate Steven Anderson’s 441-game tally and he said: “I have some great memories of games against Dundee.
“When I overtook Alan Main to go second in the appearances list I’m sure it was at Dundee.
“We won 2-0 and I scored that day at Dens. I think the fans quite enjoyed that celebration running behind the goal.
“It will be special but I want to go and win the game first and foremost. If we want to get to where we want to be we have to start turning performances into wins and that starts against Dundee.
“My family will be there and they missed out on a lot last year so it will be great for them to see it and it will be a proud moment for them as well as me.
“Unfortunately, they are the ones who have to put up with me through the defeats and bad performances.
“If it wasn’t for them and having a good support I probably would never have made this milestone.
“I only show my emotion because there are a lot of tough times in football.
“I go back to the start of last season when players were getting released because of what was going on around the world. I was one of the fortunate ones to sign a sixmonth contract.”
Craig, who spent two years with Hibs, admits he has been guided by a cluster of former players, including Dens No.2 and former Perth skipper Dave Mackay.
He said: “I came here for an opportunity and that is all you are given as a player.
“Fifteen or sixteen years later, whenever I do leave, I will leave as a supporter.
“I have had a lot of good senior pros over the years who I have been able to turn to for advice - Jack Ross, Paul Sheerin, Callum Davidson, Michael Duberry.
“Just great people who want the best for you and want to help you.
“St Johnstone just has that special feeling about it. When you come here everyone wants to do their best for the club and buys into what the club is all about.
“The core of the team over the past 10 years or so has all played more than 200 or 300 games, competing for the top six, in the latter stages of cup competitions and the European trips.
“It has just been an unbelievable time for the club and I am glad to have played a part in it.”
Craig admits Saints have been a huge part of his life since signing on loan from Falkirk in 2007.
He said: “It will be the club’s decision when I leave, whether that is January, next season or the season after.
“I just love football and being part of the day-to-day stuff. Although I am 34 and one of the older ones I still enjoy coming in and messing about with the younger players and the other guys in that dressing room.
“It is carnage, like a circus at times, but that’s what keeps you young I suppose.
“I have never been scared of finishing playing.
“When the manager came in 18 months ago he told me he would tell me when the legs have gone.
“He hasn’t told me that yet so I keep running about daft on a Saturday.”
Saints dumped the winless Dark Blues out of the Premier Sports Cup recently but after losing out to a controversial Hibs spot-kick winner last week, Craig warned Saints they have to be at their best.
He said: “It is important that we hit our performance levels and use the frustration from last week where we feel we should have got more.”