David Robertson believes the current crop of youngsters coming through at St Johnstone are on a par with the quality kids at former club Dundee United.
The Tangerines’ youth system has rightly been lauded for producing a conveyor belt of young talent such as Johnny Russell, Stuart Armstrong, John Souttar and Ryan Gauld.
However, Robertson, who is firmly on the comeback trail after recovering from a broken leg sustained against Hibs last November, played for the Saints Under-20s for the second time within a week on Tuesday against Partick Thistle and he believes that the future is equally bright at McDiarmid with the likes of Chris Kane, Liam Caddis, Alex Kitchen and Craig Thomson and others all flourishing under the tutelage of coach Alistair Stevenson.
The midfielder said: “I can’t speak highly enough of some of the young lads.
“There were even a couple who didn’t play against Aberdeen last week who came in for the Partick game and they also stood out.
“I hadn’t realised just how good some of the boys were until I started training with them. There is a real tempo to their play and they all look comfortable on the ball, something they showed in the games.
“I obviously saw the United boys coming through but I would say that some of the St Johnstone lads are in the same class.”
“Alistair is doing a great job with some of the lads he has brought in and it is also noticeable that other boys who were here previously are kicking on as well,” said Robertson.
“So I think the future is looking really bright for the club.”
Robertson admitted there were a few doubts floating around inside his head before last week’s comeback game against the Aberdeen Under-20s and how he would cope with that all-important first tackle.
However, having overcome that hurdle, Robertson, who netted twice against Thistle, is determined to work his way back into the first team and repay the club for sticking by him after that horror injury against Hibs.
He said: “Psychologically there was a hurdle to overcome. I was worried about making that first tackle before the Aberdeen game but during the match I didn’t give it a second thought.
“To be honest, I have completed thousands of tackles in my career and I have broken my leg just once which puts it into perspective.
“I was delighted to get another 60 minutes under my belt against Partick Thistle and after 10 months out, it was good to score two goals.
“It had certainly been a while since I had netted. After being sidelined for so long, I am obviously not match fit but I am getting there.
“Another week’s full training should do me the world of good. Of course my contract is up in January and I would love another deal. I am just determined to repay the club’s faith in sticking by me after I broke my leg.”