Gary Irvine says that he can’t wait for the new season to get going after signing on at St Mirren for another campaign.

The defender, like his teammates, finished last season in fine form, and he hopes that the Buddies can take that momentum into the new campaign and make sure that they are competing at the right end of the table this time.

With the camaraderie and team spirit that has been fostered by manager Jack Ross, he sees no reason why the Saints can’t build on the great escape they pulled off just a few weeks ago, and hit the ground running after their nightmare start 12 months ago.

“I had built towards [signing a new deal] last season and it was always in my mind," he told the St Mirren website.

"I'm delighted and I think it's just excitement I'm feeling. I'm dying to get the season started now with the way the team finished that season there.

"You didn't want the season to finish to be honest and we've basically kept the same squad so it's time to build on that now.

"A lot of that was hard work and it was with most of the boys in there. There's still the same feel-good factor in the dressing room, all the boys get on with each other, there's a good balance, so all these things are positive."

Irvine has been buoyed by what he has witnessed in training so far from the new arrivals that manager Ross has brought in to supplement the tight-knit squad he has built in Paisley.

"I'm one of the ones who likes getting back and getting into it again,” he said.

"You're coming into your job and you are meeting some new colleagues and you are getting to know their characters, personalities and abilities.

"That's what you look forward to in pre-season. It gives you that time to bed in and get to know each other."

Irvine is looking forward to getting back into competitive action as the Saints take on Partick Thistle, Livingston, Airdrieonians and Stranraer in this season's Betfred Cup.

The 32-year-old enjoyed playing in the group stages of the revamped competition last summer, and he hopes that it can help to sharpen St Mirren up more than pre-season friendlies would ahead of the new Championship season.

“It was actually good last year," he said. "It was obviously new and I'm looking forward to it.

"The competitive games and going into the mini-leagues meant you had something to play for in getting to that next stage.

"There are some tough ties in there, but it's good that a competition is set out like that so early on and gives you that competitive edge."