Keeping record appearance holder Liam Craig at the club is a smart and important move from St Johnstone.
That was the message from his former team-mate and Perth fans’ favourite Michael Duberry.
Saints legend Craig announced his playing retirement at the end of the season but is remaining at McDiarmid Park in a first team analyst and development coach role.
And Duberry, who starred for Chelsea and Leeds United –including a Champions League semi-final run – sees the 35-year-old as a winner on and off the field.
“In any club, whether big or small, you try to create an ethos and a culture,” Duberry explained to the PA.
“Liam knows the club’s culture and knows what the club is all about.
“He can reinforce that just by being a presence. He can help the young and the old.
“Every club has their way – St Johnstone have their way.
“It’s important someone who has sampled the success is around to keep it going. It’s massively important and a great thing that he is staying with the club. I’m really happy for him.”
Duberry battled alongside Craig during the 2010/11 campaign and hailed the midfielder’s impressive playing career.
“Longevity in football is not something to be frowned upon,” Duberry continued.
“He has been involved in the most successful part of the club’s history and that is a credit to him.
“The word legend is overused in football and in life. But he truly is a St Johnstone legend.
“Not all people who retire from playing go out on a high but Liam will. Liam was a good player, very technical. He always liked a little joke and was always in and around a laugh.
“But you could tell he was a student too. When senior players or management spoke, he would listen.
“It doesn’t surprise me that he has grown into a role of helping young people. He is passing knowledge on.”
Following on from cup double success, Duberry was relieved that Saints managed to avoid the Premiership trap door by defeating Inverness.
He said: “Sometimes you see it when there are so many highs and then a hangover.
“It can happen and hopefully last season was the hangover and now everyone has the summer to recover.
“It was very unusual for St Johnstone but I’m grateful that the worst did not happen. They are still in the top league, it will be a new season and they start fresh with everyone else.
“It is a lesson and learning for everyone that it should not be happening.
“It will be a relief. Players will have learned their lessons and there will have been a lot of reflection.”
Duberry, a motivational speaker, is planning a Perth visit next season.
He said: “I need to reach out because I want to come up to St Johnstone and deliver a talk to the youngsters.
“I also want to watch a game because I’ve been meaning to come up. I had a fan telling me they were singing my name in a game recently. I want to come join in with that.
“I’m proud of my career and it was St Johnstone who gave me the best sign off. That day at St Mirren. I had a great rapport with the fans. I think they appreciated my effort and that I came in to perform and impress.
“The club will always have a place in my heart.”
