Programme article: Chris Millar & Liam Craig join 300 club

Monday 24th April

The following article, written by regular contributor Kieran Clark, appeared in the matchday programme at our recent home match with Aberdeen.

Since a reinvention under Owen Coyle in the First Division in 2005, St. Johnstone have been on a positive upwards trajectory for more than a decade - reaching a crescendo with that historic Scottish Cup triumph – and continuing to this day through a succession of top six finishes and regular European participation. Throughout this golden era, managers and players have come and gone, but there has been a core of values and characteristics within the squad that have remained constant.

Chris Millar and Liam Craig have celebrated making their 300th appearances for the club in the past fortnight, an extraordinary feat in the tumultuous environment that is football in the 21st century. These two players, who signed for Saints within months of each other, have typified the principles and ethos of determination and professionalism that has carried the club from the second tier onto the upper echelons of the grandest stages in Scotland, and continue to have an indelible influence.

There was a knowing warmth in the applause for the 34-year-old Millar as he replaced David Wotherspoon in the latter stages of the recent victory over Heart of Midlothian at McDiarmid. It was a special milestone for the always dependable midfielder, who has long displayed a collected and controlling sway within the heart of the team that has allowed those around him to tick along.

We could say the same for Craig, who added a certain level of aggression to the team, in addition to a wickedly powerful left-foot that is just as likely to score goals as it is to create them. Capping off his historic achievement of games for Saints with a late-penalty in Inverness last weekend, the 30-year-old became a natural successor to the wizardry of the great Paul Sheerin on that side of the pitch, and has been the right man for certain monumental occasions for the club.

He was the first to sign for St. Johnstone under Derek McInnes, initially on loan from Premier League Falkirk in the December of 2007. Making his debut away at Hamilton, the former Berwick Rangers youngster scored on his first appearance at McDiarmid, with his performances quickly extending that deal until the conclusion of a season that saw him be a regular in the squad, including starting in the agonisingly near-miss Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden nine years ago.

That move was made permanent that summer, a time that also saw 25-year-old Chris Millar finally transfer from Greenock to Perth after signing a pre-contract, with the manager raiding his former club Morton for the services of a highly-regarded right-sided midfielder with a propensity for scoring goals that would shock those who have watched him since in the royal blue of Saints.

It was the seventh season that Saints had been in the First Division, and there was a noticeable but pensive expectation that this could be the year that a return to the top flight would be secured. Both Millar and Craig were vital parts of the team, who overcame a sticky start to dominant the league, with Liam showing maturity beyond his years by adapting into a more defensive position, but that didn’t stop him from firing in a rocketed strike from 30 yards at Dunfermline, which took the club to the summit of the table, a lofty position that was never relented.

Back in the SPL, Saints were a dangerously unpredictable proposition for opponents, high scoring for a newly promoted side. Eventual champions Rangers – who only lost three games all season – discovered that in the March of 2010, succumbing to a stunning 4-1 defeat in Perth. Cillian Sheridan’s unbelievable angled shot had taken the home side into the lead, before Millar – in a rare goal scoring moment – gambled with long-range effort that deflected into the net. Liam Craig was in position to make it three, and his header bounded off Lee McCulloch to extend the advantage going into half-time, with fellow stalwart Murray Davidson later adding a fourth.

Over the subsequent two years, St. Johnstone became an established Premier League side, ultimately securing their first top-six finish under Steve Lomas in 2012, who had succeeded Bristol City-bound McInnes the previous November. Liam had been top scorer over the previous couple of seasons, but yielded that status to Francisco Sandaza, while the importance of Midge only became more apparent to supporters once Jody Morris had moved on.

2012-13 was to be a special campaign for Saints, who had previously finished third in the table on just two occasions in the club’s history. It was the season that Craig moved to another level with his game, scoring several crucial goals, including a vital winner over Dundee United in Tannadice that provided a crucial three points in the race for Europe. He had earlier netted a late equaliser over the Terrors that ensured a top six-finish.

Liam secured his legend with the East Stand faithful on the final day. Requiring a win over second-placed Motherwell at McDiarmid to finish in third, Craig unleashed a thunderbolt strike that gave Saints a precious lead on what became a memorable afternoon with Nigel Hasselbaink adding a second just after half-time. However, despite the highs of that achievement, the midfielder’s time in Perth came to an end as he joined Hibernian. Quite a parting gift, it should be said.

Steve Lomas also departed that summer, replaced by his assistant Tommy Wright. Incredibly, Saints continued to progress, defeating Rosenborg and undertaking an adventure that took them to the precipice of history in the Scottish Cup. Chris Millar was at the heart of it all, pulling the strings in midfield, as that St. Johnstone team achieved what the others had all found an impossibility; winning a major national trophy. It was the greatest day and the grandest of weekends for Perthshire.

There were a couple of missing pieces, however. Murray Davidson was injured and Liam Craig was caught amidst an unsuccessful relegation battle at Easter Road. It felt somewhat remiss that their contributions weren’t recognised on that special afternoon in Glasgow, but knowledgeable supporters appreciated their impact on helping the club reach a position where such a moment was possible.

Eventually, Liam made a welcome return to Saints in 2015, and it was a natural fit. His goals and performances contributed to a second consecutive fourth-place finish in the league, and his form has only improved this season, particularly in recent weeks after forging a combative partnership with Paul Paton. As we chase another high finish and possible Europa League qualification, his story at St. Johnstone is likely to continue for years to come.

For the ever-popular Midgey Millar, his appearances have been somewhat curtailed by recurring injury problems, but with that hopefully behind him, the now veteran midfielder continues to be valued on the pitch and away from it, as shown through the club’s imaginative #PaintItBlue campaign. We can only hope that Chris finds the net once more for Saints, perhaps in a manner reminiscent of his thrilling winner over Dundee United just after Christmas 2014. He hasn’t scored often in his nine years at McDiarmid, but they’ve always been memorable.

Reflecting on the club’s continued success, it’s impossible to overplay the significance of both men. Derek McInnes deserves credit for bringing them to Perth. Saints have consistently brought the best out of Liam Craig and Chris Millar over a decade, and they have brought the best out of St. Johnstone in their combined 601 appearances. Future Hall of Famers? You bet. And there’s more to come.

Article by Kieran Clark