MILLAR’S A REAL SAINT
Chris speaks of his love for the club after signing on
Chris Millar says he still has plenty left in the tank after signing a new deal St Johnstone will always have a place in the heart of Chris Millar.
That was the message from the Perth midfielder after signing a new one year deal at McDiarmid Park this week.
Staying with Saints for another 12 months takes the 34-year-old into his tenth season and a club testimonial.
But Millar insists that doesn’t mean downing tools and putting the feet up. He is determined to continue to contribute on the pitch and fire Tommy Wright’s men into Europe.
“I’m delighted to get it sorted, it has been there in the background for a while,” Millar said yesterday.
“You want to get it done and you want to earn it. Over the nine years I’ve been here I feel I’ve done that.
“When you join a club you don’t envision being here for a decade because football doesn’t work out like that very often.
“But moving here was great for me, there have been a lot more highs than lows.
“Sometimes you just fit at a club and that’s the way it has been here, it has just worked for me being here.
“I will always have a place in my heart for this club because it’s been brilliant. I want to add to that though, I’m not winding down.
“I’m not the kind of person who would just sign and deal and think that’s me done. As long as my body is good and I’m contributing, which I think I am, then I’m happy.
“I know I might not play every week like I used to because we have loads of competition in midfield these days. But I still think I’ve got plenty to offer and will be working hard to get in the team every week.
“I’ve not been playing as much as I want to play recently but I’ve not stopped working hard in training
and looking after myself. I want to get back in the team and playing week-in weekout once again.
“We want to continue the success we’ve had and I want to be a big part of that.”
Millar admits there was almost a move to Australia in years gone by but, taking a view now, he is delighted that he remained at Saints.
“I almost left to go to Australia a few years ago, but the gaffer was always on the phone telling me the grass wasn’t greener,” he said.
“Steve Lomas was the manager but it was the gaffer who kept phoning me and telling me to stay.
“It wasn’t that I wanted to leave here, not at all, it was a family decision I was weighing up because of the lifestyle.
“But in the end I wanted to stay here and I’m glad I did because I have realised the ambitions I wanted to do in my career.
“I’m glad I never went across there, I would have been devastated if I had left and then watched the team win the Scottish Cup.
“So while the lifestyle in Australia might have been good, it wouldn’t have come close to being part of what we’ve done here in the last few years.”