St Johnstone’s Stevie May enjoyed his first taste of European football and he admits he is greedy for more.
The young striker signed a 12-month contract extension with Saints on Friday after spending most of the last two seasons on loan at Alloa and then Hamilton.
Before he was farmed out to Accies, he twice came off the bench at the start of the last campaign when he was thrown in at the deep end in St Johnstone’s Europa League qualifiers against Turkish side Eskisehirspor.
And having watched Saints secure European football for the second season running by beating Motherwell in their last game of the season just ended, he is hoping to be involved once again.
“I’ve signed a 12-month deal and now I’m looking forward to the season ahead,” May said. “ It’s a big one for me.
“I know we have good players here and hopefully we can push again for Europe. It would be incredible for a club like St Johnstone if we could make it three in a row. That really would be unbelievable.
“I got some experience of playing in the Europa League last summer when we faced Turkish side Eskisehirspor. For a young player that was incredible,” he added.
“I was looking around at international players from Europe and South America, guys who had around 100 caps and captained Turkey.
“Obviously the draw can throw anyone at you but hopefully it takes us somewhere the fans and players can appreciate and enjoy.
“Hopefully this time we can progress a bit further. I managed to watch the last couple of games of the season and it was a massive bonus for everyone making it back into Europe. I was so happy for the lads after all the focus had been on Inverness Caley Jags and Ross County for third spot.
“I had returned from being out on loan and I was training with the team, although I knew I couldn’t play a part and I had got my head round that.
“Europe doesn’t come around too often for players at clubs like St Johnstone and you could see what it meant to the boys.
“I’m only 20 but I will be lucky enough to be involved in the Europa League back to back. It will be something to look back on.
“Top six will be the initial aim next season but the lads showed what can be done once that has been secured. They did so well in the run-in.”