Talking point

Chris Millar may be nearing the end of his career but his ball retention in midfield will still be crucial for Saints this season, so his fitness is a big bonus for Tommy Wright going into next weekend’s league opener. “We’re managing my load. “Touch wood, it’s gone really well. “I’m feeling positive. For the past couple of years I’ve picked up an injury in pre-season. It was important to come through it with a clean bill of health this time. “So far I’ve done that. “I just want to enjoy what I’ve got left ahead of me.

“I still get a real buzz for the start of a new season – maybe even more so than when I was younger.

“I’m 34 and I know there’s not many left for me.

“If I get injured, I get injured but I know I’m doing everything to make sure it doesn’t happen.

“I feel I’ve still got something to offer and so does the manager.”

Millar added: “If I don’t feel right in training I’m going to put my hand up and say.

“I won’t put myself in a situation where if I do get an injury, I’ve hidden it,” he said.

“There’s trust between the manager, the physio and myself that I’ll say if there are any issues, whether it’s just a slight tightness.

“But I have to say that the injuries are the last thing on my mind just now.

“I’ve been feeling great in training and games.”

The Saints squad are upbeat as a whole, shown by their convincing results in pre-season.

“Obviously we were gutted to go out of Europe but we’ve bounced back and preseason has gone well,” Millar said.

“We’ve scored goals and won games and that can only breed confidence.

“We’re all looking forward to the season starting now.

“With coming back so early then going out there could have been a lull in the camp but the performances have shown since that wasn’t the case.” The game kicks off at 12pm. Meanwhile, Miles Storey has emerged as a potential signing for Saints. Aberdeen are willing to let the striker leave but Derek McInnes is reluctant to let that happen in the middle of Europa League qualifiers.

Tommy Wright has other potential targets for that position, including Hearts’ Conor Sammon.