Alex Iacovitti faced up to St Mirren’s packed festive programme and roared: Bring it on!
The Buddies face four games in the space of 11 days over the traditionally busy Christmas and New Year period in the Premiership.
It all kicks off on Boxing Day when Rangers visit the SMiSA Stadium for a match which will be screened live on Premier Sports (kick-off 5.45pm).
Top-six rivals Dundee then arrive at Greenhill Road on Sunday, December 29 to wrap up a memorable year for Saints.
Stephen Robinson’s men will first foot Rugby Park for a date with Kilmarnock on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and head to Glasgow’s east end to face reigning champions Celtic on Sunday, January 5.
Saints are in great form having notched up five wins from their last eight games and Iacovitti is looking forward to tucking in to more than just turkey alongside his band of brothers who are in for training on Christmas Day.
He said: “I love playing games and want as many as possible. It’s what you are paid to do as a footballer. We’ve got a game every three or four days and it’s coming thick and fast.
“I’ve been in on Christmas Day quite a few times as, down south, we play on Boxing Day quite a lot.
“I’ve not had a proper Christmas Day for the last five or six years. It doesn’t bother me and I’ll follow the same routine as during the week and look forward to the game the next day.
“It’s a really tight-knit group here. We’ve all got each other’s backs and, when we come in on Christmas Day, it will be a good crack and spirits will be high. I don’t think there will be a Secret Santa, I hope not! Maybe I don’t know about it!”
Iacovitti – who scored his third goal of the season in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Ross County – will enjoy a quiet Christmas with his partner as he gears up to take on Philippe Clement’s Light Blues.
“It’s just me and the missus up here,” he said. “My family’s in Nottingham so we’ll just be here having a quiet one. It’s different when you are close to home but when it is just you and your partner, you get used to it.”
Buddies boss Robbo gave his players Sunday and Monday off after success over the Staggies and they will begin preparations for the Rangers game on Tuesday.
Scott Tanser is suspended for the Boxing Day game after being red-carded in Dingwall with Mark O’Hara (thigh) also out. Toyosi Olusanya returns from a ban while Conor McMenamin will be assessed regarding his availability.
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