Mackay, Anderson, Wright, Easton. The back four that won the cup – and one of the best defensive units in recent Scottish Premiership history.

But now, the last of that quartet has left – with Steven Anderson, scorer of the opener in the 2014 Scottish Cup Final and all time St Johnstone appearance record holder leaving the club.

As a fan it’s gutting that Anderson – along with Tommy Wright – couldn’t get a proper send off due to the coronavirus lockdown scuppering the 2019/20 season. We can only hope both of these legends make it back to McDiarmid Park for a proper send off when football returns.

But even though we can’t pay proper tribute to a Saints stalwart his former colleagues rushed to Twitter to praise the much-loved stopper.

Frazer Wright – who with Anderson formed an almost impenetrable wall at the heart of Saints’ defence – was sad to see Ando go:

Sad to see my old partner in crime @stevenando85 leave @StJohnstone after all these years but he gave everything for the club and brought out the best in me. Even tried to straighten my nose for me 😂 pic.twitter.com/AwThUoSr6Z

— Frazer Wright (@WrightFrazer) May 20, 2020

David Wotherspoon, who suppplied the cross for Anderson’s most famous goal in a Saints shirt, added:

Sad to hear @stevenando85 time has come to an end with @StJohnstone . Such a pleasure to share a changing room with such a dedicated and hard working guy. Put everything into playing for the club and want to thank him for putting his head on my corner on May 17th #legend

— David Wotherspoon (@Spoony_10) May 20, 2020

Dave Mackay – another member of that famous backline – joined in the praise but also alluded to Anderson’s famously dour personality:

Sad to see @stevenando85 leave St Johnstone. What a servant he’s been for the club. A top player and professional but an even better guy. He would rather get hit on the face blocking a shot than score at the other end! All the best wherever you end up mate.

— David Mackay (@CuptieDMackay) May 20, 2020

Tam Scobbie joined in the jokes:

Gutted to see @stevenando85 leave @StJohnstone. Gave everything he had for the club in every game and training session he took part in, moaniest guy I’ve ever played with, although you couldn’t understand his shouts with the marbles he had in his mouth. All the best 😂😂👍🏻👍🏻

— Thomas Scobbie (@TScobb88) May 20, 2020

And Tony Watt, only at Saints for one season, added his memories of his brief time working with Anderson:

Words can’t describe what a guy @stevenando85 is 🔥 one of the craziest men I’ve played with but one of the best guys. What an incredibly underrated player aswell ❤️

the saints will miss a proper legend 💪🏻 still playing into his 60s incredible 👀🤯

All the best turkey touch 👍 pic.twitter.com/deBHAKsxDb

— Tony Watt (@32watto_) May 20, 2020