Not everybody was convinced James McFadden would be a success at St Johnstone.
But Tommy Wright was.
There were plenty of whispers in the Scottish football community suggesting that the former Everton and Motherwell man’s best days were behind him. Or even the pretty good days, for that matter.
Injuries and motivation were both spoken about.
Perth boss Wright knew however that if the first bit could be managed, the second wouldn’t be a problem.
And McFadden’s displays in back-to-back matches against Ross County have proved him to be correct.
The 48-cap forward has scored in both games (the 25-yarder on Saturday will probably go into his personal top 10), while his close control and eye for a pass have been equally impressive.
“It was a sublime goal,” Wright said.
“He used the defender to bend the ball round him, and the keeper was rooted to the spot.
“It was an absolutely superb strike. We can all see the quality he has got.”
He added: “The thing that made it easy for us to sign James was, we knew he hadn’t lost his quality.
“And once I’d spoken to him I could tell how determined he was to continue his career and play at the highest level possible.
“You can see why Scotland fans loved him. Everybody here has taken to him as well.”
There is a history of big name players – like Jody Morris and Michael Duberry – who have made millions in their career, buying into the McDairmid Park dressing room ethos. McFadden is the latest example.
“He’s one of the lads,” Wright pointed out. “There are no airs and graces on him. He’s fitted in perfectly.
“We had other options in England and abroad, but James was ideal for us. We had to get him match fit, but we knew it wouldn’t take too long.”
In the New Year Wright should have Steven MacLean available to him, as well as Chris Kane back from his loan spell at Dumbarton.
But already, the Northern Irishman is happy with the attacking options at his disposal.
“James gives us quality in the last third,” he observed. “That was the one thing we were lacking before he came.
“Brian (Graham) gives us a focal point through the middle, and we’ve got pace out wide, as well as Michael (O’Halloran) who is scoring goals.
“The front four have done particularly well.”
McFadden has been rested by Wright at Ibrox and Dens Park to try and prevent an injury being picked up.
It goes against the grain for a footballer who wants to play in every match, but the 32-year-old appreciates why he is occasionally stood down according to Wright.
He explained: “James wants to play every week but we do have to manage him.
“That’s the same with a few players who are over 30.
“He was disappointed to be left out at Dundee, which is a good sign. But I sat down with him and, on medical advice I just couldn’t risk him. If he broke down and he was out for six week that would have been no use to either of us.
“It was the right decision and he knows it was. The important thing was having a conversation about it with the player.”