St Johnstone striker Sean Higgins has stumbled upon the secret of a happy marriage.
Former Republic of Ireland internationalist Alan Maybury boarded the flight to Dublin on Wednesday and the out-of-contract ex-Hearts defender is hoping to extend his stay at McDiarmid Park.
And with Irish centre-back Graham Gartland edging towards the exit door, Maybury is ready to step back in.
Swiss striker Danijel Subotic (22), who had a brief spell with Portsmouth as a teenager, is also under the spotlight in Ireland along with former West Brom striker Marcus Haber, whose loan spell at McDiarmid Park last season was cut short by a cruciate injury.
After pre-season warm-ups in Northern Ireland in recent years, McInnes has headed south to a rainswept Dublin base to prepare for the SPL campaign.
He said, “You get decent pitches, accommodation, food and opposition in Ireland. It will provide a stern examination of the fitness of the players.
“The Drogheda pitch is tight and they gave Dundee United a good test recently. They are 17 games into their season and it will probably be tougher than games in Northern Ireland at this stage.
“The lads worked very hard at Largs last week and this will be a worthwhile trip with the first game against Aberdeen on the horizon.
“There was an inevitable rustiness against Arbroath despite the 2-0 win earlier in the week. The Irish trip is a chance for our new lads to bed in.
“Hopefully we won’t pick up any new injuries because there are just 12 days between returning and heading for Pittodrie.
“It has been a very short close season and because of our new pitch we won’t be playing any games at home. Results aren’t the be all and end all but I want to see signs that we are making progress.”
The Perth club’s early summer signing tied the knot recently with fiancee Bernadette but they have rarely seen each other since an idyllic Maldives honeymoon.
The former Dundee attacker, who played his last game for the Dens club five months ago before undergoing cartilage surgery, admits their careers have been given priority status.
Higgins is eager to make his mark for his new club in tonight’s friendly at Drogheda United as Saints begin their six-day trip to the Republic of Ireland.
“I came in early for pre-season training because I hadn’t played since the surgery,” he said. “I started back the day after returning from honeymoon, then we were away for a tough week’s training at Largs with the lads. Now I am in Dublin for a couple of games.
“The summer has flown in for me. I had the stag trip then the wedding and the honeymoon. Bernadette is a doctor and she’s been working as hard as me. We’ve hardly clapped eyes on each other.
“Now I’m looking for game time. I feel I’m back and ready. I played against Ayr and Arbroath so I’m looking for a chance against Drogheda and UCD.
“I managed a double at Ayr in an 8-2 win and as a striker you want to score in any game you play. It’s all about match fitness now and making sure we are ready for Aberdeen on July 23.
“This will be my first season in the SPL and I was away on honeymoon when the fixtures came out. Finding out where we were going for the first game was exciting. I’d been dying to know where we would be going.
“I know there will be tough competition here for a first-team spot but I’ve always been up for a challenge at any club. I’m up for the fight and hopefully I will be in the mamager’s plans.”
Saints boss Derek McInnes confirmed he is hoping to add to his squad during the Emerald Isle trip.
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