Paul Simpson has been fending off stick from team-mates after returning to Jeanfield Swifts this week.
The crafty midfielder is, however, ready to join forces with them in the Perth club’s bid to embark on a Scottish Cup dream on Saturday afternoon.
Simpson left for Lowland League side Tranent earlier in the summer but has now decided to make the switch back to the Riverside, a place he was previously sad to depart.
His signature back at Swifts arrives in good time and just before a huge occasion for the club.
Brechin City, who lead the Highland League, travel to the Fair City in the first round of the famous and historic Scottish Cup.
“I enjoyed my short time at Tranent,” Simpson said. “Unfortunately Calum Elliot left and a new manager came in.
“With the squad being so big and a few new boys coming in, I just felt like coming back to the Swifts was the right thing for me.
“I’ve taken a fair bit of stick from the boys and goalkeeper Mark Mitchell has been the worst. But I was always expecting to take a bit of banter off everyone.
“Coming back in and training this week, everyone has been brilliant. I know the boys so well and it just feels the same as it did before.
“One of the reasons I was hoping to get the deal done quickly was because I knew this Scottish Cup game was coming up this weekend. I didn’t want to miss it.”
Simpson was part of Swifts’ Scottish Cup adventure last season, which eventually came to an end in round two following a defeat to Annan Athletic at Galabank.
Pulling on the club’s colours this weekend will be another special moment for the former St Johnstone youngster.
“The Scottish Cup is massive and it’s an incredible feeling playing in it,” he told the PA.
“There is always so much excitement leading up to it and I’m just hoping we can get even further this year.
“And considering the 12.30pm kick-off I’m hoping we get a fair crowd of the Saints supporters down to back us and see the boys through.”
Swifts will need to produce a top performance to have a chance of advancing against a Brechin side who are in relentless Highland League form.
But there is always reason to believe and Simpson said: “We know Brechin are going to be good and that this will be a tough game.
“They are sitting top of the Highland League so we know we will need to be at our best.
“But we know, the way we press and attack with pace, that we can hurt most teams on our day. We need to play positively and keep to our game.”
