Draw of Euro football proves too strong for Scougall to resist

The prospect of European football was a big draw for Stefan Scougall when he decided to sign for St Johnstone.

The former Sheffield United and Livingston midfielder is confident a lack of competitive football in the last six months will not be a problem in tonight’s Europa League opener.

Scougall is ready to make his Saints debut against Lithuanian club FK Trakai at McDiarmid Park tonight and said: “It has been a good week. It’s been great to get back on the training field and get warm-up games.

“I knew a couple of the players here, they are a good bunch and I can’t wait to start.

“Coming back to Scotland, one of the main attractions was the chance to play European football. It will be a new experience for me and I can’t wait to get out there.

“The closest I have had to European football is with Scotland under-21s. I played against Holland in a qualifier and Canada in a friendly.

“I didn’t come here just for two qualifiers. I would like to get to the stages when the big clubs come in.”

Scougall drifted out of the firstteam picture at Bramall Lane last season and said: “It was quite a rollercoaster for me. I had three different managers while I was at Sheffield United.

“Under Nigel Clough I was playing almost every week, so that was good. Then Nigel Adkins and then Chris Wilder came in with new players and new ideas. I felt like a bit-part player and went out on loan.

“After Clough it didn’t really work out for me. Going to England was a gamble but it was one I needed to take. It was good experience.

“I would go back again but I need to be playing football. That was my aim in signing here for two years. It has made me a better person and player. Hopefully, that experience will help St Johnstone.

“I played in some big games, an FA Cup semi-final against Hull and a League Cup semi-final against Spurs. I’m looking forward to games against Rangers and Celtic.

“I played more than 100 games in England. I feel I should have played more but sometimes the face doesn’t fit.”

European football was one of the advantages St Johnstone had when it came to make your mind up time for Scougall, but manager Tommy Wright was a bigger one and Scougall added: “I met

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Stefan Scougall, right, and St Johnstone team-mate Graham Cummins during training