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Star Saint of the Decade Roddy Grant, one of the most popular players ever to pull on the St. Johnstone jersey, meets up with fanzine writer Bryan McCullough for an exclusive one-to-one...
So, did it feel like ten years?
No, not at all. I remember playing at Muirton Park and the next thing you know we were moving to a purpose built stadium. Things just took off from there.
Did you expect things to turn out anything like they have when you signed?
Not at all. When I signed from Cowdenbeath, Alex Totten sold the club by saying they were moving to new premises but I never expected it to be anything like this and obviously it was a great move for my career. I've enjoyed every minute of it.
Of the three you played under, who was the best manager?
Paul Sturrock. He might not be the fans favourite, but from a player's point of view he was the best. You could tell what he meant to the club and see how he enhanced everyone's career during his time here.
Who was the best Saints player you played with?
Being honest, I would have to say Alan Kernaghan. He's probably the most complete player I've played with.
What about against?
Looking back over the years I would have to say Gough and Butcher. In the 1989 semi they were both exceptional, massive people, very hard to play against. Gough is still showing how good he is today in the Premiership.
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An early appearance from Roddy in the Muirton Park days
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Who was the worst Saints player during your time at the club?
No comment. It wouldn't be fair of me to say.
What is your favourite away ground?
As a footballer there are always grounds you do well at. The two I've always played well at were Fir Park and Tannadice, so probably one of those two.
...and your least favourite?
Cliftonhill. It's an absolute coup! I remember the 5-2 game in '90, there was dog shit on the park and rat poison in the dressing rooms. It just wasn't a nice place.
Of all the defenders you've played against, who was the easiest to wind up?
I think they're all easy to wind up, you just need to touch a personal note with most of them and they'll start kicking you. I don't think there's anyone who really stands out.
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Not even Amoruso?
Oh aye, Amoruso's a bit of a greasy gut so you just say things to him about that.
What was your favourite game in Saints colours?
I think the two that stand out are the 3-1 Airdrie game and the 5-0 game against Aberdeen. Obviously there were others I enjoyed, like being involved in a team who beat Rangers 3-1 at McDiarmid last season.
What was your favourite goal you scored for Saints?
I enjoyed the one at Falkirk when we won 4-1 two or three years back. I also enjoyed the header against Airdrie and my two against Aberdeen.
The 89-90 championship winning side seemed to have great team spirit, why was that?
I think that was because we were all part time and only saw each other two or three times a week. That forced us into having great spirit.
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Rod leaps above the Airdrie defence to score one of the most memorable goals of his career
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Do you think that some of the contact between the club and the fans has been lost since then?
Yes, definitely. St. Johnstone should be a better supported side, especially after the success of last season. Alex Totten was always selling the club to the punters and that's been lost now.
Did you have any doubts about turning full-time?
I did actually because I had a well paid job as a stonemason, but being a full-time footballer was something I always wanted to do, so I had no hesitation in signing a two year deal.
Were you disappointed when you were sold to Dunfermline?
Yes, I didn't really want to leave but there's no point hanging around where you're not wanted.
You were away from the club when Totten was sacked. What did you think of the decision?
You can't really argue with it because Saints have come on leaps and bounds since then. At the time I was shocked but it is a decision the chairman had to make and you can't argue with the man who pays the wages.
Do you think Brown was harshly treated by the media after the sacking?
Yes, I think he did it at the wrong time of year and he's learned from that.
Did Totten milk it a bit in the press?
That's just one of those things that happens in football. You'll always get people who are willing to take photos of Alex under the Christmas tree, but you can't blame Alex for that.
What was playing in the Intertoto Cup with Partick Thistle like?
It was an absolute nightmare! We played in France and Austria and it was a long haul to get there. We had to fly from Glasgow to London then on to Luxembourg before being bussed to the game. It was terrible.
What was it like to score a hat-trick against Saints?
To score a hat-trick is always great but I would be lying if I said it was sweet, because it was against Saints.
Were you surprised when Sturrock came in for you?
Very surprised. I was enjoying my time at Partick but I jumped at the chance to play for Saints again.
What did you think about Sturrock leaving the club to go to Utd?
I was very surprised because he ran the bollocks off us in training the day before he left. I think it was always the place he wanted to go to and you can't fault someone for following an ambition. You can't take away from what he did for the club though, you just have to look at Phizzy and Callum playing down in England.
Is it true you once had a fight outside The Grill?
No.
Are your kids Saintees?
Yes, I was just saying to my wife that when they're old enough we'll get them season tickets up here.
Do you hate Dundee as much as we do?
Yes, I can't stand them!
Would you like to join 'The Biscuits for Scotland Campaign'?
Definitely.
Would you swap some of your skill for a bit more pace?
No, I would rather have ability than pace because I think football is about ability. Clubs just seem to go for athletes nowadays and I think that's the problem with the modern game.
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Were you disappointed not to feature more this season?
Yes, I think every manager is entitled to his own opinion but the least said about that the better.
What did you think about the size of the crowd at your testimonial?
I was delighted, I think it's an honour to be given a testimonial, and I knew that was the real hardcore supporters there, so the size of the crowd didn't matter.
Do you think the game could have been better promoted?
Possibly, but that was down to the testimonial committee, who have done a great job, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Who's decision was it to sub you in the game?
The managers! No, it was mine. I was feeling a bit tired at half-time and needed to go off. I wanted George to come on for me but that didn't happen.
Has Carlton Palmer's cheque arrived yet?
I think so.
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Roddy lines up with Fred Macauley and Stuart Cosgrove to promote his testimonial year
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What was it like having Happy Birthday sung to you in the middle of the pitch in Monaco?
It's a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life. If you ask any of the players about arriving in Monaco that evening they'll tell you that they've never seen anything like it. When we arrived at the park and saw everyone singing and dancing we realised what it meant to the fans to be in Europe.
You and your Dad both played for Saints. Do you think your kids will?
I'd have no hesitation in letting them sign for Saints and I'd love it if they did, but I'm not going to put any pressure on them.
In the testimonial programme you said your favourite food was Mars Bars but your least favourite was King Size Mars Bars... Why?
It's a personal thing. Mars Bars are good but I think King size are just too big, they're kicking the arse out of it. I enjoy a Mars Bar with a cup of tea though!
Will you be back at the end of the season to say goodbye?
Yes, I'll be back for the Celtic game. I'm being presented with my cheque in the middle of the park.
What are you going to do when you finally hang up your boots?
I'd love to stay in the game as I feel I still have things to offer, but if the worst comes to the worst I can always go back to being a stonemason.
Do you think having a trade to fall back on is an advantage?
Definitely. There are people who have been in football all their lives but won't make enough money to retire on. When they do leave football they have no qualifications with which to get a job, so having a trade is a definite benefit.
What do you think of the way Simao and McQuillan left the club?
I think you're always going to get that with the Bosman Ruling. It can work for you and against you. Players in the last year of their contracts have the clubs by the balls. If Miguel is interested in money he's gone to the right country.
Star Saint of the Decade, how does it feel?
I'm delighted, it's something to tell the kids and I'm very, very honoured to be given the award.
Why do you think you got on so well with the Saints fans?
I don't know, I think as long as you give 110% people will respect you. I've always tried my hardest to play well and I think that's why I have such a good relationship with the fans. The supporters here have been great to me. I think you play your best football when you're happy and I believe I played my best football here because I was happiest here.
If you had the chance would you do it all over again?
Definitely, but I'd probably dedicate myself to football more than I did. What can you say about St. Johnstone, it was a big part of my life and I would definitely do it again, no hesitation.
Interview: Bryan McCullough
Interview originally appeared: Issue 2 (April 2000)
Read more about the Star Saint of the Decade award by clicking here.
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