St Johnstone great Sergei Baltacha expects goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov to one day play in Premier League

St Johnstone great Sergei Baltacha has told Perth fans to enjoy Dimitar Mitov while they can.

The former favourite, warmly remembered by Saints fans as their best ever defender, was Mitov’s manager at Charlton under-18s.

The Bulgarian goalkeeper has proved to be the signing of the summer so far and has already endeared himself to the McDiarmid Park faithful.

A top performance in the 0-0 draw at Celtic Park last month certainly caught the eye of many.

Baltacha feels Mitov has the ability to earn a move to the Premier League and said: “I saw how well he played for Cambridge against Newcastle in the FA Cup and I know the St Johnstone fans are very happy with his performances this season.

“You need to have a strong personality to play your best at Celtic Park.

“Getting in the Bulgaria squad is a big step for him. He’s 26 and for outfield players that’s like 21.

“St Johnstone is a club I love so I’m very happy he’s now playing for them.

“I think the supporters need to enjoy watching him because I don’t think he’ll be there for a long time unfortunately. He will play in the Premier League.

“A big club will spot him and take him away but he’s a valuable member of the team and if St Johnstone do sell him they will get a good transfer fee.”

Baltacha, now head of football at King Edward’s School Witley, remembers when Mitov first arrived at Charlton.

“I was the under-18 manager at Charlton when he came to us and he was an important player,” Baltacha recalled.

“Dimitar spoke no English when he arrived in the country.

“I remembered what it was like for me when I came to England – but I had family. Dimitar was only 16 and on his own.

“I spoke with him a lot – Bulgarians and Ukrainians, we can understand each other.

“It was a surprise