LIAM Craig insists Stevie May should follow in his footsteps and make a mockery of the football cliche which states you should never go back.

St Johnstone are battling with St Mirren to land former hero May from Aberdeen, with Aberdeen willing to let the 26-year-old striker go permanently or on loan despite having two years of his deal still to run at Pittodrie.

And Craig - who has signed for the Perth club on three separate occasions during his career - reckons his old team-mate can provide the spark to ignite Saints’ season in a move that’s written in the stars.

Glasgow Times:

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Craig is not alone in having strong ties with the McDiarmid Park side. Wingers Michael O’ Halloran and Danny Swanson are also in their third spells with the club.

After closing the pre-season trip to Belfast with a 4-2 over Northern Irish champions Linfield, Craig said: “Sometimes you just find the right club for you. I would not change anything about my career but coming back to Saints every time was seamless.

“If Stevie was to come back in then there are still a lot of faces that he played with and the same good folk around the club.

“I obviously don’t agree with people who say you should never go back.

“I remember when Mikey [O’Halloran] came back on loan from Rangers. His first game was just a friendly at East Fife, yet as soon as he walked in the changing room there was an excitement because you know what he can do on his day.

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“Stevie is no different and he would add to the buzz ahead of the new season.

“His goal record with us was incredible first time around and you look at the two seasons he had here - he was instrumental in helping the club win the Scottish Cup.

“If we can get him back here then with Danny, Matty Kennedy, Mikey, Callum Hendry and David McMillan we have creativity and goals.”

Saints ran out comfortable winners against Linfield on Saturday at Windsor Park even if the loss of two goals was entirely down to their own sloppy defending.

Shayne Lavery gave the home side the lead after a rare Zander Clark bloomer. Trialist Alex Jones missed a penalty for Saints before Swanson levelled and second half goals from Callum Hendry and a first career strike from Ali McCann put the Perth men well in command.

Lorcan Forde cashed in on a Ross Callachan error to net before new skipper Jason Kerr rounded off the Saints scoring.