New boy Roo will make all the noise
Jamie McCart knows Shaun Rooney better than most.
And he is certain his fellow former Inverness team-mate will be a massive asset to St Johnstone – on and off the pitch.
Full-back Rooney’s move to McDiarmid Park was finally confirmed by the club this week and he was present for coronavirus testing on Monday.
McCart played alongside Rooney in the Highlands and is thrilled to be reunited with him in Saints colours.
“He will be a brilliant signing,”McCart said. “First and foremost he is a brilliant person and he will be great to have around the club.
“After a few months, when you speak to the other boys, they will say he is the loudest guy in the changing room. But you need players like that.
“He will lift the spirits of everyone and will get on great with everyone. He is just that type of person.
“On the pitch he will be suited to the Premiership style of football. He is strong, fast and gets up and down that line.
“He was brilliant at Inverness when I was there. He was great to play with and it helps when you are friends too.
“Shaun will cover the full length of the pitch in about five seconds once he gets going.”
Saints’backline for the forthcoming season is again shaping up to be young in age but huge in potential.
At 29, Callum Booth is the only member of the defence over the age of 25 as new gaffer Callum Davidson prepares for a first whack in the hotseat.
Skipper Jason Kerr (23), Liam Gordon (24), Scott Tanser (25), Wallace Duffy (21), Rooney (23) and McCart (23) make up the defensive unit.
“I know people were worried about the age of the defence at the start of season,” McCart said.
“But I think we showed in the end that we developed when everyone got to know each other. It turned out very well in the end.
“I’m sure Shaun will only add to that for the competition and quality within the squad. We’ve got a really good squad.
“We obviously lost a few loan boys who contributed very well, guys like Matt Butcher.
“But the quality was already there in the dressing room before I came in.
“It will be a difficult time for everyone regarding transfers and squads, but I think we have a really good one.”