Michael Duberry has given St Johnstone fans a massive summer signing boost but warned the club to beware of second season syndrome.
The term, used to describe a team that flourishes following promotion but finds life harder next time around, summed up precisely what happened to Duberry during his time at Reading in the English Premiership.
However, after putting smiles on faces all the way across Perth by deciding to stay at McDiarmid Park for another year, the big central defender insisted Saints one of Scottish football’s success stories after comfortably retaining their top-flight status can continue to make progress when the action resumes in August.
“Next season will be an education for everyone,” said Duberry, who has joined Collin Samuel, Murray Davidson and Dave Mackay in signing fresh deals since the campaign’s conclusion.
“Being in the SPL for a second year will mean everyone will have to move on and improve.”
He added, “We need to show we are top-flight footballers and not a side that has had one good season and then will end up back down there.
“That is the challenge for every player here and for the club as a whole.”
Duberry said, “I remember when I was at Reading we had a great first season in the Premiership after going up in 2007.
“We had a good team and just missed out on Europe (they finished in a club-record eighth spot).
“The following season, though, we failed to deliver.
“We got caught up in ourselves and thought we were maybe better than we were. We ended up getting relegated.
“I am sure, though, that the management team here and the senior players will make sure this club doesn’t fall into that trap.”Family agreementThe odds had looked stacked against Duberry staying on at Saints, with his wife Natasha and children based down south.
However, the player and manager Derek McInnes have shaken hands on an agreement that will allow Duberry as much time with his family as possible.
That business done, the former Chelsea and Leeds United man was delighted to get another crack at the SPL.
He said, “I enjoyed my time here last season and the biggest dilemma for me was the family situation.
“My trips home will be done at the manager’s discretion, similar to how (Rangers captain) Davie Weir gets to return to his Liverpool home.
“If the gaffer feels there is a break and I am a bit homesick then he will maybe allow me to go back for a bit.”
He added, “I am in the twilight years of my football career and I have a chance of a full season in the SPL.
“Having played at some of the stadiums up here, sampled the occasions and tasted the football I did last season, that is a very attractive proposition.”
Duberry is relishing the opportunity of pre-season training, having operated, by his own admission, at less than full match fitness at times last term.
He said, “Now I plan to have a good pre-season and start fit and fresh.
“I am not saying I will be a new, improved version because you would have to take 10 years off me to do that.
“The fans will, though, be seeing a player who is hoping to give his all.”Relishing the SPLDuberry has loved every minute of his time in Scotland’s top flight, carrying none of the dismissive attitude to the game here sometimes prevalent in others.
He said, “The standard here has been impressive it has been challenging and that’s exactly what I wanted.
“I enjoyed facing the likes of Kenny Miller at Rangers, there was the big lad at Kilmarnock (Kevin Kyle), Billy Mehmet at St Mirren and Robbie Keane at Celtic, of course.
“Dundee United also have a few players who made it tough.”
He added, “That was great because if I did well against them then it was a source of personal pride.”
As well as the family situation, an element of Duberry’s decision to stick around was McInnes still being Saints manager.
Duberry said, “I came here because of him and I signed here again because of him.
“If he does leave, I think he would want to give the club a bit of silverware or a European spot.”
He added, “The Real Madrid job looks like going to Jose Mourinho so that’s good news for us!”
The compliment was returned by McInnes, who was delighted to seal this deal.
The Saints boss said, “He has brought us experience, a presence and an authority.
“Whoever has played alongside him, I think he has improved them.”
He added, “He felt a warmth here from everybody and has a special relationship with the supporters.”