But now he’s rarin’ to go after putting in a lot of hard work to get himself fully fit for the coming campaign.

After being signed by John Connolly in time for the season before last, Kevin endured a torrid time in his first term with Saints as the team struggled.

Then, after Owen Coyle took over as manager from Connolly, he brought in Kevin James and Mark Campbell from Falkirk.

With the signing of those two centre-halves, Kevin thought his days at Perth were numbered.

But he gritted his teeth, got his place in the team — and has never looked back, being one of Saints’ most consistent performers last season when only winners St Mirren finished ahead of them in the First Division.

Now, as he sets his sights on this coming league campaign, Glasgow-based Kevin commented, “The First Division will once more be a tough league.

“Gretna and Livingston will be strong and Alex Rae looks as though he’s getting Dundee into shape.

“In the two seasons I’ve been here, we’ve been playing catch up, so we should be looking to dictate right from the start. It’s so vital that we get off to a good start and let the others chase us.

“With just one team going up, it’s a hard job to get into the Premierleague, but the players we’ve added since last season ended have been good signings.

“The competition we face is stiff and I can honestly see six teams being in with a shout of the title come the turn of the year.”

Transfer activity continues to dominate the news at McDiarmid Park.

The Perth outfit finally added Bryn Halliwell to their squad today. A delay regarding paperwork had held up his move from Dunfermline.

Saints hope to have another new face by the time the Clyde game comes around. Speculation is linking ex-Aberdeen and Dunfermline player Derek Young with the club, but manager Owen Coyle is staying tight-lipped.

Young striker Neil McCallum has gone to Alloa Athletic on loan.