Goalkeeper Craig Hepburn signs new three year deal

Goalkeeper Craig Hepburn has signed a new three-year contract which will keep him at the club until 2027.

The 19-year-old from Perth has worked his way through the youth academy here at McDiarmid Park and regularly trains with the first team squad.

A former Perth High School student, Hepburn is currently on loan at Lowland League side Cowdenbeath and is looking forward to continuing his development.

Speaking after signing his new deal, the boyhood Saints fan said: “I have the security that I’m here until 2027 and that is something I can really look forward to.

“Being a fan of the club, it is special for me and my family. I’m really happy with it.

“I have been at the club for 10 years now. I remember Alistair Stevenson giving my mum a call telling me to come in for a trial. I did quite well, was asked to sign up and I’ve been here ever since.

“I was buzzing when I first joined because I was a season ticket holder. I was coming to every game to watch the team. To then get the opportunity to actually play for the club, that was really nice.”

Hepburn, who has also enjoyed previous loan spells at Tayport and Luncarty, feels he is constantly learning.

“I think I’ve kicked on quite a lot,” he said. “I had a short loan spell when I was just 16 and then two further loans more recently.

“The loans have made me realise what football is all about. Sometimes things don’t go your way but you learn to fight for those three points on a Saturday.”

He has also been able to learn and take advice from numerous goalkeepers over the years, including the likes of Zander Clark, Remi Matthews and now Dimitar Mitov. 

Hepburn said: “I learnt a lot off Zander when I first started training with the first team. He helped me a lot and had been at the club for a long time. I’d seen the journey he went on.

“Remi came in – a Premier League goalkeeper – and I again learned so much from him. Now we have Dimi who is top class and Dave Richards too. They are top professionals.

“I know how hard they have worked to get to this stage of their careers. I want to do the same. I’ll keep working hard to get my chance.”

One of many local goalkeepers currently at the club, Hepburn is excited about what the future holds.

 He said: “It’s a credit to the club because they are bringing through local players. Myself, Ross Sinclair and Kyle Thomson are all local and are all full-time now.

“Hopefully I can kick on and impress people. And at some stage in the future, hopefully I impress enough to get a chance for the first team.”