Murray Davidson admits team-mates are desperate to impress their new gaffer.
The St Johnstone squad underwent staggered Covid-19 testing yesterday.
And boss Callum Davidson will begin the build-up to the new season later in the week with reined-in training sessions.
Midfielder Davidson, 32, knows exactly what Tommy Wright’s one-time assistant will demand after five years in the Perth No2 role.
“It doesn’t matter if you know somebody or not. Everyone will be wanting to impress him,” he admitted.
“You always find that training goes up a couple of levels with a new manager. But it will be buzzing anyway because we’ve been off for so long.
“The new manager coming in will give that an extra boost. I think the first few days will be hectic. Callum automatically demands hard work and he wants training at a high tempo.
“The one thing I know he will demand is intensity on the training pitch. But I’m sure he will make it enjoyable at the same time.”
Davidson wasn’t surprised Perth chief Steve Brown pinpointed his namesake when Wright departed.
And the arrival of the former Stoke City and Millwall assistant ensured there will be no major upheaval at McDiarmid, with most of Wright’s squad from last term already signed up.
The only new face among the group being tested was Shaun Rooney, the 23-year-old right-back who penned a pre-contract agreement back in January.
Wright targeted the Inverness Caley Thistle defender to replace on-loan Anthony Ralston, who has headed back to Celtic.
“I’d heard a few whispers and people saying Callum was the frontrunner,” said Davidson, who has a testimonial year lined up after thrashing out a new 12-month contract.
“Personally I thought if he wanted the job he would have a good chance of getting it. It’s a process that has worked well in the past, appointing people who know the club.
“Callum knows a lot of the players and we obviously know him.
“Never since I signed for the club 11 years ago has there been massive changes on the playing or managerial side. The continuity is a good thing. I don’t see there being any problems and I think his appointment can only be positive.
“It is always different when you’re an assistant manager compared to a manager. So he will have his own ideas.
“When he was assistant with us, he was very highly thought of and everyone I’ve spoken to is delighted that he has got the job.
“I played with Callum and have also seen him in the position of assistant. He wants to win. I don’t care what anyone says about playing nice football, at the end of the day you want to win games.”
Despite having to undergo regular virus testing – with Brown sanctioning a £35,000 spend on specialist kit imported from South Korea – Davidson admitted it will be good to get back in the old routine after the enforced lay-off.
The midfielder hasn’t kicked a ball in anger since suffering a broken arm in training earlier in the year.
He was ready for a comeback when the pandemic forced a premature end to the season, with Saints subsequently confirmed in sixth place.
The long-time Saint has clocked up the miles on Perth streets to ensure he was ready when football got the green light from the Scottish Government.
“You obviously miss football – you miss everything about it and the routine that comes with it.
“Everyone was looking forward to it, even though it’s going to be in small groups.
“We’re all looking to get back to some sort of normality.”
