We take on St Johnstone on Saturday as the league season gets underway at McDiarmid Park; 3pm kick-off.
Our Manager was given a boost ahead of the game against the Saints as the work permit approvals came through for both Marijan Čabraja and Élie Youan.
“It’s a big boost for us,” said Johnson. “It gives us balance with a left-footer in Mariyan and speed in the front-line with Elie.
“Do I feel confident in them starting and finishing 90 minutes? Absolutely. We prepared them well physically.
“Everything has been building up to this first game of the season and we want to come out really bright.”
There’s also been some positive news on the injury front as he’s been able to welcome some members of his First Team squad back to training.
“Paul Hanlon has been on the grass, which is good, but he’s not quite ready for the weekend.
“Jake Doyle-Hayes is back in the fray, and David Marshall is over his sickness bug.
“We’re moving into the first game of the season with a strong starting XI and a strong bench.”
Unfortunately, though, new wide man Aiden McGeady has been ruled out for a significant amount of time – a minimum of six weeks – with a medial ligament knee injury.
“McGeady worked so hard over the summer to become fit and get rid of that rustiness of not playing for six months, but unfortunately his knee has been aggravated again.
“It’s disappointing for him and for us. It’s an opportunity though for someone else to step into that.
“Demetri Mitchell is back in and around it, which is great to see, Ewan Henderson has played there, we’ve got Tavares, Melkersen has been doing well out-wide, so we do have enough cover.”
