Talk of the Perth men as an old banger

“So when you are introducing these kids into the first team at the one time you are going to get ups and downs.

“The last couple of weeks have been positive and while the table doesn’t look pretty for us just now, we are only four games in, so there is no panic.”

Craig admits not all of St Johnstone’s players are in the first flush of youth.

“I think I am the oldest one in the dressing room now!” he said with a laugh.

“However, we also have Steven Anderson out on loan at Raith Rovers. He is 33, a year older than me, so he can have that title.

“I remember he was 22 when I first came to the club. Mind you, he looked 42!

“You talk about big voices and he was definitely one, even at that young age, mind you he travelled down with Kev James so I think that is where the moaning came from.

“They were great people to have in the dressing room and great players for St Johnstone over the years.

“It shows you how the time passes because the older ones I played with are all away now.

“The back-four, when I went to Hibs, was Dave Mckay, Steven Anderson, Fraser Wright and Callum Davidson. When I came back from Easter Road, apart from Callum, it was probably the same.

“These are the guys I think maybe come to mind for some people when they think of St Johnstone.

“But there have been big changes. Every club goes through it and it is our time just now.”

The midfielder, currently sidelined, is confident Saints’ young players will be all the better for coming through the transition period.

“Jason Kerr, for example, has had a tough start to the season because he has had a few different defensive partners as well. But he has shown in the last 18 months what a great prospect he is through his displays for St Johnstone,” said Craig.

“Liam Gordon was unfortunate to get injured because he is another one who has never let us down when he has played either.

“Scotty Tanser is getting better every game he plays and then there is Tony Ralston. Right away at training you see the level he has been playing at week in, week out.

“So there is definitely no gloom and doom – or panic – in our dressing room.

“That is one of the good things about being at St Johnstone, we don’t get too excited when we win a couple of games and we don’t get too downhearted when we have lost a couple.”