St Johnstone skipper Liam Gordon is delighted to have Jamie Murphy on board – as he hated playing against him.
Experienced winger Murphy this week penned an initial one-year deal in Perth and is raring to go at McDiarmid Park.
The 32-year-old creative spark was most recently on loan at Mansfield Town from Premiership rivals Hibernian.
When Murphy was at the Easter Road club, Gordon was always weary of his quick turn of pace and neat footwork.
“I thought he was always a danger,” Gordon said.
“There was a lot of talk about Nisbet and Boyle but I always thought Murphy made a lot happen.
“When he wasn’t playing, I felt a bit better about the game. It’s obviously a good thing he’s on our side now.”
Gordon even recalls being in the Hampden stand as a fan when Murphy starred for Motherwell in a 3-0 Scottish Cup semi-final win against Saints in 2011.
“I was quite young, remember being there and the scoreline but not how he played that day,” Gordon told the PA.
“But I always knew there was this Murphy boy at Motherwell who was top drawer and ripping it up.
“He brings plenty of experience and ability.
“Creating chances was an issue last season and we have brought in players to help with that. From what I’ve heard and seen so far, these are positive and exciting signings for the fans.”
Gordon says all the other new additions – Andy Considine, Drey Wright, Adam Montgomery and Graham Carey – have settled in nicely.
“We knew Drey Wright already and what we’re going to get,” Gordon said.
“And you have a rough idea of what Andy Considine is going to bring.
“We have played against him before, he is a really good guy and a top professional. He is a great addition.
“With Graham Carey, you can see his quality straight away. He wants to do well for this club.
“That makes a massive difference when you are all trying to pull together in the right direction. Adam has settled in well too. All of the new additions have.”
The training camp in Spain boosted team morale further.
Gordon said: “As soon as we came back the boys were right at it.
“They had kept themselves in good shape so we were able to hit the ground running. We had four really tough days in Perth and that is what pre-season is about - hard work.
“It was really good to then get away to Spain and especially with the new boys.
“There was no escape from the heat but we put the miles in at a great facility.
“The friendly with Aberdeen went well with plenty of chances and plenty of good play.”
Saints played a closed doors friendly against Inverness on Tuesday afternoon and went down 6-3.
But Gordon stressed: “There were a lot of changes – formation and personnel.
“It is more of a fitness exercise at this point.
“You obviously don’t like getting beaten but the main priority was getting minutes in the boys.
“We’re getting everyone up to speed for the start of the League Cup campaign.
“Then people can judge us on what they see when it’s proper, competitive games.”
Saints face Cove Rangers in a home friendly on Saturday. Kick-off is 1pm.
