Peering through the solid metal fence in the searing heat of the Republican Stadium’s away end stood an intrigued young football fan following the team he was growing to love.
The stadium thermometer was pushing 40 degrees Celsius as Europa League dreamers St Johnstone tussled with Alashkert in the Armenian capital of Yerevan.
With ice cool focus, the wide eyes of Craig Hepburn would rarely swivel in any other direction other than to assess and watch Perth shot-stopper Alan Mannus going about his business.
Hepburn, at this point, had just finished primary seven at Inch View school and had not all that long before started playing for Saints’ youth academy himself. As you can probably guess, his position was goalkeeper.
“I was obviously delighted to sign because, ever since I was young, I was a diehard fan,” recalls Hepburn, still with the club and now 17 years of age.
“I went to a few of the European away games. I was in Armenia and went over to Lithuania as well.
“Alan Mannus was in goal at that game in Armenia. Growing up, he was the one I recall always playing. When I was at the games I would always watch him. I wouldn’t watch the game, just him.”
Hepburn’s early memories in the sport weren’t always obsessed with all things between the posts. There was kicking a ball about in the Scoonieburn area of the city and attempting to carve out a path at right-back or even up front.
He would eventually be lured to take up the number one jersey with a youth team at Jeanfield Swifts.
“I started as an outfielder, actually,” Hepburn laughed. “I never really wanted to be a goalkeeper.
“I think someone else probably made the decision I shouldn’t be playing outfield. I don’t think I was the best.
“So they chucked me in the goal to see how I was. Everyone would say ‘Craig will go in’. But I enjoyed it and something excited me about it.
“Although I remember the pitches would be shocking and every weekend my mum would be raging about doing the washing because I would be absolutely covered in mud.”
Despite first never really seeing himself as a goalkeeper, soon Hepburn was catching the eye and he would spend time training with Dundee before Alistair Stevenson came calling in November 2014.
Just months after revelling in the delights of Saints’ Scottish Cup win against Dundee United (of course he was there watching), his foot was in the McDiarmid Park door and his own journey just beginning.
It has, for Hepburn, been a gradual progression ever since and one particular milestone arrived when he got the nod to start training with the first team goalkeepers under the guidance of Paul Mathers.
“I remember there were a few boys from when I first started who were getting released,” Hepburn told the PA.
“Every year there would be a new group and you wondered if you’d be next, but that never happened. You get into 11-a-side, start playing the elite clubs and I felt I was only getting better at that point.
“When I was younger I got asked to be on the bench for the under-18s a few times and that was even a big moment. And then when I got asked to train with the first team, it was just crazy.
"I had been in the stands watching them and the next minute I’m on the training pitch with them doing drills. Straight away I was so nervous. I had met them a bit so that made it slightly easier as I wasn’t a complete stranger.
“There was Zander Clark, Elliott Parish, Max Johnstone, Ross Sinclair and Jack Wills. Zander was brilliant with me last year and I learnt so much from him. He would take time outwith the drills to talk.
“Now Remi Matthews has been really good with me, on and off the pitch.”
Part of his duties since stepping up to first team training have involved being part of the match-day set-up and helping out with the warm-up, including at Hampden Park for the semi-final of the League Cup last November.
“The first game was a home one and that was surreal,” he beamed. “I was on the pitch and looked up to where my mum’s season ticket was and she gave me a wave.
“Then the big game that stood out was on my 17th birthday. The semi-final against Celtic at Hampden.
“Not long before that I’d been at a Scotland game and couldn’t picture myself on the pitch and walking out the tunnel. Again my family were in the stand for that one, so it was a special moment.
“It made me realise that I was trusted by the club to be involved and help out.”
Those duties are currently on hold while Hepburn tests himself and picks up valuable experience on loan at local East of Scotland League side Luncarty, who ply their trade in the First Division.
The loan path of course proved fruitful in the end for former No.1 Clark and Hepburn is feeling the benefits of playing week in, week out in a competitive environment.
“It has been really good so far,” he explained. “We had a great run at the start of the season.
“There were a few bad results recently but we’re still within touching distance of the top of the table and have a cup final coming up.
“Every week I feel more confident when I’m playing 90 minutes. The physicality of the games - you get barged at corners, for example - is different compared to under-18s and that is massive for me. I’m learning a lot.”
A quick visit to Brownlands Park will provide evidence that here is a young man with a safe pair of hands and a very capable right boot.
Hepburn laughed: “You know what, when I was younger I could never kick the ball properly.
“But the last few years I feel I’ve brought it on a lot and distribution is probably one of the best parts of my game.
“I feel I have the capability to zing it in behind if I need to or clip it out wide. As a goalkeeper, that really helps in the modern game.
“Hopefully I can impress at Luncarty and show Saints what standard I am capable of getting to.”
