I won’t forget my first day in a hurry
to be in good condition for coming back.
“For most, I think it has been boring more than anything. The monotony of day after day.
“But keeping the discipline with the fitness has been quite easy.
“I have no problem with working hard. I live in a flat so I don’t have a garden, but there’s a few pitches down my way.
“In the last few weeks, with measures being lifted, one of my friends is a coach and has been taking me for some one-to-one work.”
Competitive football is on the horizon with topflight league chiefs expecting the 2020/21 campaign to kick off at the beginning of August. Games may still need to be played behind closed doors.
“That would be strange but I don’t think it will bother too many players. You play training matches and reserve games,” McCart said.
“When you know you are playing for three points and league positions, it automatically motivates you. “The sooner the fans get in the better but, in the meantime, hopefully it doesn’t impact on the games too much.
“Every time you go out onto the pitch you are playing with pressure. Regardless of the fans being there, you are playing for the club to get three points.”
If McCart picks up where he left off last season, he has all the attributes to become a real stalwart in Perth.
He reflects on his opening months at the club with real positivity and can’t wait to continue the Premiership journey.
“It was a very good end to the season, despite it being cut short,” he said. “I was sad to see that because I was on form.
“Everyone at the club helped me and it was a seamless transition. I signed and the next day I was in the squad.
“The team’s performances were really pleasing, especially after the tough start to the season.
“It was clear to me when I went in how good the squad was. That was proven towards the end of the season.
“It has been good to see all of their faces again – there were a lot of smiles on Monday.”
When Shaun Rooney agreed to sign for St Johnstone in February, he did not envisage his first day would involve being tested for coronavirus.
The Perth club’s coaching staff and players have gone through two rounds of testing this week ahead of – all being well – training beginning today.
Full-back Rooney, who joins from Inverness, was initially signed by departed boss Tommy Wright but is now ready to continue his development under Callum Davidson.
“We had the first of the testing on Monday when we came in,”said Rooney.
“It was a bit of a strange way to start your first day but that’s what has to happen to get back training.
“It has been a while waiting to come in because it was back at the start of February I agreed to come and then football was cancelled in March.
“When I saw the news that Tommy Wright had left I was surprised but it didn’t affect me too much.