SAINTS TOP-SIX CHALLENGE JUST GOT HARDER

Club legend predicts toughest Premiership season

- TAYLOR MURRAY

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 (inset) 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 Express Sport: “No disrespect to the Premiership the last three or four years, I think it's not been the strongest.