Murray Davidson is hoping St Johnstone have no regrets when the embark on yet another European adventure.
Saints have done themselves and Scottish football proud with some excellent results in continental competition, most notably the wins over Norwegian team Rosenborg two years ago and Swiss side FC Luzern just last summer.
Both of those beaten clubs had considerable quality in their ranks and the Perth men brilliantly punched above their weight to oust them from the Europa League.
However, both campaigns then came to a halt against teams they probably should have beaten FC Minsk of Belarus and Slovakia’s Spartak Trnava respectively.
So as Davidson waits expectantly for another journey into continental competition their fourth in a row he is dreaming of Saints upsetting the odds again and also doing themselves justice if they meet another Minsk or Spartak.
He said: “Someone told me the other day that St Johnstone are the first club outside the Old Firm to qualify for Europe four years in a row for over 20 years.
“That is an incredible achievement when you look at the budget and the size of the club.
“We have had a few massive results in recent seasons but I would say beating Rosenborg and Luzern over two legs are the two that the lads are very proud of.
“They gave the supporters great experiences and I would like to think we did a bit for Scottish football as well.
“There was a bit of frustration afterwards, though, as we were knocked out by two clubs we probably should have beaten.
“Everyone had heard of Rosenborg, for example, but nobody had heard of the other two.
“On paper, those were the easier games but you don’t get bad teams in Europe because if you are there you deserve to be.
“But after you have beaten clubs like Rosenborg and Luzern you really want to build on it.
“So this time round hopefully we can get a good draw in the first round and then take it from there.
“We want to get through the first round so hopefully we get a good tie.
“I looked at the teams in the competition the other day and there are some huge clubs in it.
“What you don’t want is to be going out of any competition and thinking: ‘If we played to our maximum we would have beaten them.’
“That’s a horrible feeling.”
Davidson has, Europe included, missed too many big games over the years for his liking because of injury so it is understandable that the now full-fit midfielder is relishing the draw a week on Monday.
“Last summer it was really tough because I missed out on the Scottish Cup final and then the European games.
“I travelled to Slovakia for the away game against Trnava but I wasn’t ready to play.
“I had started training again by then but was still sitting in the stand so that was frustrating.
“But I played in the games against Eskisehirspor three years ago, missed Rosenborg the next season but played in Belarus when we won 1-0 against Minsk.
“Last season I missed both matches so you could say I am making up for lost time.
“The summer break seems to get shorter every year and with being in Europe that means it is an even smaller break.
“We have had just over three weeks off but the lads are looking forward to getting back in now.
“We start again next week and it’s about building up to the first European game on July 2.”
Sainst will be wearing a new strip by then, with Davidson modelling the Invest In Perth-sponsored kit at McDiarmid Park yesterday.
The sponsors are the investment arm of Perth and Kinross Council and the move is aimed at developing closer links with the city’s business community.
Club chairman Steve Brown said: “We are delighted to take forward this exciting, new opportunity with Invest in Perth, and to further develop our desire to connect with the people and businesses of Perth.
“By taking the decision to partner with Invest in Perth, and not simply go for the highest sponsorship deal we could secure, we want local businesses and people to engage more with St Johnstone.
“We believe this can play a major part to support long-term sustainability for the club and its operations.”