Jody is so chuffed at the success his former Saints team-mates have enjoyed
Jody Morris was a semi-final loser on three occasions with St Johnstone.
It was a sore feeling shared with Liam Craig, Murray Davidson and Stevie May over a decade ago.
So Morris was thrilled to see that trio celebrate double Hampden success last season, with a history-making squad managed by another ex-Perth colleague, Callum Davidson.
The Saints are on the hunt for more glory in the Premier Sports Cup last-four tie against Celtic at Hampden on Saturday.
The ex-Chelsea assistant boss can’t hide his admiration for the men at the heart of this knock-out run of form.
And he’s chuffed to see St Johnstone’s commitment to continuity paying a huge dividend.
Record appearance holder Craig, May and Davidson all left the club, but returned to play major roles in last season’s astonishing success.
Murray Davidson, meanwhile, has been a McDiarmid Park fixture his entire career.
A 17-year-old Chris Kane, now leading the line, was on the bench for Morris’s final game with the Perth club in May, 2012.
Morris said: “I think that shows St Johnstone is a very well-run outfit. That’s credit to the Brown family, who have been in charge for years.
“Not only do they run it efficiently from a financial
point of view, it’s just a good place to be.
“I loved my time there. Not the biggest club, and not the biggest crowds every week, but the fans love their football, and there’s a family feel.
“That’s why players stay there a considerable amount of time, or return to the club. It was a place you could make home, and really enjoy.
“Take Liam. You don’t get all those appearances without being a good pro, a great lad to be around, really looking after yourself – and being a very good player.
“He loves the club, and he’s a legend.”
Morris recalls boss Davidson being a terrific veteran influence while Derek McInnes was manager. He’s delighted to see a great team-mate prove himself a brilliant boss.
“Callum was such a good lad,” he continued. “He was at the end of his career and very experienced, so he was one who was vocal in the dressing-room.
“That was good for me as the captain. The more good voices and leaders you had, the better.
“The fact a club of that size became double Cup winners in one season is testament to Callum’s talent.”
Then a second-tier side, Saints took UEFA Cup Final-bound Rangers to penalties in the Scottish Cup semi of 2008, only to lose the shoot-out 4-3.
In February, 2010, Morris lost out again to the Light Blues in the League Cup in the Hampden snow, as Walter Smith’s men advanced to play St Mirren.
In 2011’s Scottish Cup last four, Motherwell raced into a 3-0 half-time lead, and Saints couldn’t reply.
Morris recalled: “We went close a lot, but not close enough when I was there.
“A couple of years after I left, they won the Scottish Cup against Dundee United, which was brilliant.
“To win two trophies last season, especially with Rangers doing so well under Steven Gerrard, was an amazing achievement.
“All the congratulations the players, club and Callum got were richly deserved.”