St Johnstone midfielder Chris Millar once thought the grass would be greener in Australia.
The then 29-year-old was contemplating making a new life for himself and his family Down Under.
That was back in the year 2012 BSC (Before Scottish Cup).
Needless to say, Millar has no regrets about rejecting the idea and instead re-signing for Saints.
He did, after all, go on to lift the aforementioned cup last May as well as enjoy European adventures with Tommy Wright’s team.
Now, as he prepares to put pen to paper on another two-year deal to remain in Perth, those thoughts of barbies on the beach are long gone.
Millar is now looking forward to hopefully finishing his career as a St Johnstone player.
“There are just wee bits and pieces to be ironed out regarding the contract nothing major,” said Millar, who will be at the heart of the midfield for today’s home clash with Partick Thistle.
“We have been going back and forth but it is basically done.
“I want to get it all put to bed as soon as possible so that I can totally concentrate on football.
“There is no problem and I definitely see my future as being with this club.
“As early as October, the manager came to me and said that I had made a really good start to the season and that he wanted me to be here.
“When you hear that from your gaffer it’s great.
“I have already had seven great years here and want to stay on for a bit longer.
“It wasn’t a hard decision.
“Who knows, this could be my last contract.
“I would love to play here for a few years yet and hopefully that will be the case.
“I could see my career out here and maybe even be at the club for 10 years.
“It will be a two-year deal that is on the table and maybe I can then look to get a testimonial!”
Millar can hardly believe how well his decision to turn his back on Oz has panned out.
“That whole thing was about me, in my late twenties, thinking that maybe it was the time to try playing abroad,” he said.
“But I spoke to the gaffer and he was always on the phone speaking to me and I was happy to sign on again and sort my future out.
“Obviously, that turned out brilliantly for me.
“We won the Scottish Cup and I have been involved in Europe with Saints and I could hardly have dreamed it would go so well for me and the team.
“I think when you are younger you are maybe thinking about what you can get, maybe earn a bit more money, but being that wee bit older now I see a bigger picture maybe.
“I am 31, have a family and am planning for life after football as well now.
“For me, the big draw is security that this deal will offer.
“It’s a no-brainer for me.
“I know the club really well, and get on great with the gaffer and the boys.
“I really feel part of the club.
“In my seven years at Saints it has been great and you can look at what we have done as a team.
“It has been about steady progression and that’s not the case at every club.
“There are bigger clubs than ours but we have had success here.
“I think about Liam Craig, who left to go to Hibs a bigger club.
“They ended up getting relegated and Liam missed out on our Scottish Cup win.
“That’s the chance you take in football and, don’t get me wrong, I am sure Liam is enjoying his time at Hibs.
“Speaking to him, though, I know that had he stayed he would have loved being involved in the cup win.”