Young goalkeeper Craig Hepburn is ready to embrace the challenge of his next loan spell.
The Perth local has just returned from his latest experience at Highland League high-flyers Brechin City.
It proved to be a very successful stint at a team challenging for top honours as attention now turns to impressing with Scottish League Two side East Kilbride.
Craig has joined EK through until the end of the season.
He said: “I hadn’t really played last year and that is something that myself and goalkeeping coach Gordon Marshall spoke about. Going to Brechin allowed me to play over 20 games – and I really enjoyed it. Everyone was really welcoming too.
“The fans were brilliant the whole time, even with the long journeys away from home. You make nice relationships with them and all the boys too.
“I’ve made loads of good friends at Brechin who I will keep in touch with for a long time.”
He continued: “There was the pressure of going out and wanting to win every game – because the fans expect that too. But that pressure is good.
“You need to relish the pressure and, overall, it was just a really beneficial opportunity for me. You are playing in front of more people and in different environments. You learn to deal with that.”
On the move to East Kilbride, he said: “This is another great opportunity for me.
“It is a step up in the leagues and that is what you want. I need to do my best, hopefully get into the team and help them win games.
“I’ve kept track of the results and I know how competitive a league it is. Everyone can beat everyone. Every week will be competitive but you need to look forward to that challenge.”
Craig, who went to school locally and grew up a Saints fan, continues to train with the first team at McDiarmid Park and is in constant contact with goalkeeping coach Gordon Marshall.
“He has been really good with me,” Craig said. “After games I get my video back and we’ll sit down to look at what I’ve done well and what I can improve on. We’re always analysing how I can get better.
“We chat pretty much every day. He has been at the club for a while now, so you build up a nice relationship.”
Craig’s footballing journey started as an outfield player after attending Jeanfield Soccer School, before he quickly made the transition to goalkeeper.
Now 21 years of age, he has been with Saints for 12 years now.
Craig said: “I still keep in touch with a lot of people who I grew up with coming to the games. They are always watching to see how I’m progressing, which is appreciated.
“I used to go to all the games as a fan when I was younger. Then I was training with players who I watched growing up.
“I’ve been involved with first team training for a while – and I now even try to set a standard for the younger ones coming through. You also need to be a role model.
“I just want to be playing as many games as I can, come back in the summer and see where we are.”
