Liam Craig is about to convey the curtain down on a memorable taking part in profession that has without end banked him legendary standing at St Johnstone.
However the Perth membership’s all-time look report holder, a agency followers’ favorite, shall be sticking round for a training position subsequent season.
Craig has greater than 450 Saints appearances to his identify and got here off the bench within the closing minutes of Wednesday night time’s confidence-boosting 1-0 McDiarmid Park win towards Aberdeen.
“That’s 19 years as a full-time footballer and I've at all times stated that if the suitable alternative got here alongside to step into teaching I’d assume severely about it,” stated Craig.
“I used to be by no means anxious about retiring and this simply feels proper.
“Individuals say you need to play for so long as you possibly can and I undoubtedly get that.
“However again in January there have been a few alternatives to maneuver on. I had good conversations with the supervisor and the chairman, Steve Brown.
“They made it clear I wasn’t going to play a lot soccer between then and the tip of the season. However they didn’t need me to go away.
“There wasn’t going to be a taking part in contract going into subsequent season so there was a call to be made if I did resolve to retire from taking part in.
“Given the affiliation I've with the membership, the board and the followers that is the place I need to be.
“I'm in a unbelievable atmosphere to study and develop so it’s nice the supervisor and the board needed me to remain.”
Craig will tackle the position of first workforce analyst and improvement coach however could nicely add one other Premiership look to his tally on Sunday afternoon towards Hibs.
He stated: “Chatting with Steven MacLean, who's a bit older than me, he has already made that transition.
“He's nice to speak issues over with. Alex Cleland and Paul Mathers have been the identical with me.
“However I nonetheless have a few weeks left as a participant. That's nonetheless my foremost focus.
“I'm having fun with coaching every single day and whereas Wednesday towards Aberdeen was probably my final look at McDiarmid I can look again on 452 video games and a few unbelievable reminiscences.
“I don’t know if the supervisor will need me to play an element towards Hibs with the 2 enormous play-off video games arising.
“However I'm prepared if referred to as upon, whether or not it's 90 minutes, half an hour or one other late cameo.”
If Craig does get the nod at any level, you possibly can assure he shall be taking management of free-kick and penalty conditions.
He stated: “I'm one purpose away from catching Macca because the membership’s main scorer within the high division on 47 targets.
“So if we get a late penalty and I’m on the pitch I’ll be in search of the ball!
“However an important factor is to verify the core of the squad is prepared for the 2 video games arising. They're enormous for the membership.
“Like everybody else right here I need to be sure that we're nonetheless a Premiership membership subsequent season.
“It's in our personal palms now and we've got to verify we do it.”
Craig, after all, has Perth taking part in reminiscences to final a lifetime and at last getting his palms on cup silverware final season was dream come true stuff.
The emotion was definitely clear to see when his lone determine crouched down on the Hampden turf after the League Cup win over Livingston.
“After the highs of final season this yr has been powerful,” Craig stated. “It has been disappointing.
“However over the 12 years as a participant right here there have been so many highlights.
“I've received three trophies, the outdated First Division beneath Derek McInnes and the 2 cups final season.
“Successful the League Cup at 34 was particular. I had by no means received a cup, by no means even received any of the semi-finals I used to be concerned in.
“That was probably the most emotional one for me. I lastly had a significant trophy to indicate for my profession.
“The Scottish Cup was simply unbelievable, having missed out on the earlier one once I was at Hibs.
“It’s only a disgrace we weren’t capable of have fun that success with the followers, and varied gamers have moved on.
“I've in all probability loved the final couple of years greater than ever and never simply because we received the 2 trophies final season.
“You respect it extra as you become older and because the years velocity by.”