St Mirren's top-six bid for next season just got harder, says Tony Fitzpatrick
The Buddies legend has pointed to teams such as Hearts, Hibernian and Aberdeen continuing to strengthen while Rangers and Celtic continue to pull away at the top of the Premiership.
St Mirren are a top-six club now but achieving that status for the fourth year in a row will be the toughest task yet.
That's the message from Buddies legend Tony Fitzpatrick who is eyeing up next season's Premiership campaign.
The top flight will kick-off in just under seven weeks and clubs will be returning to pre-season training over the next fortnight.
Saints fans will be hoping that the success under manager Stephen Robinson will continue but Fitzpatrick feels Scottish football's big guns have strengthened more than ever and the Paisley men will be in a top-six scrap.
He told the Paisley Daily Express: 'No disrespect to the Premiership the last three or four years, I think it's not been the strongest.
'If I'm looking at it, you had a weak Hibs and Hearts and Aberdeen, really. But I think it's going to be the hardest year to get in the top six. Aberdeen are improving, Hibs are improving and Hearts are improving, with Rangers and Celtic continuing to steam ahead.'
Fitzpatrick is confident Saints will retain their Premiership status and make the top six — but reckons it's in other competitions where they will thrive.
He explained: 'We've got the core of the players plus the boys that will come in. I know that the first thing people say is, 'stay in the Premiership' and I'm sure we'll do that but it's going to be harder.
'I still think we'll get in the top six. But I've just got a real feeling in my gut that we're going to make Hampden in some capacity next season.
'I'm not trying to put pressure on people. I believe that — I've always believed that. The club we've got, the supporters we've got and especially the manager we've got now.
'I think that is Stephen's next aim as he's got us in the top six, he's got us into Europe. I think that's his next step. He got Motherwell into two cup finals but I just feel this time it is in the stars.'
Two former Championship sides, Livingston and Falkirk, will join those in the Premiership for the new season. The Bairns will make their first appearance in the top flight since the SPFL formed in 2013.
Fitzpatrick is delighted to see John McGlynn's Falkirk return to the top table and expects them to bring a big travelling support to the SMiSA Stadium.
He added: 'I remember when we were in the Championship, Falkirk were always the one where every club looked up to to try and emulate. Having Falkirk in is really exciting as they will fill our away end and we will fill theirs.
'John is a fantastic manager and I see Stephen [McGinn] went there as their first-team coach so they'll be exciting. They'll add a lot to the Premiership but they'll see how tough it really is.'
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