St Johnstone even shocked themselves with their power of recovery from midweek partying into the early morning as two goals from Jamie Gullan secured a win over Raith Rovers before they were presented with the Scottish Championship trophy.

Simo Valakari's side had secured the title - and promotion back to the Premiership at the first time of asking - by defeating Dunfermline Athletic at East End Park on Tuesday.

It meant they could be presented with the trophy in front of their own fans on Friday, and Gullan made sure they would do it in style with a first-half penalty and stunning free-kick against the club he left last summer.

But the 26-year-old forward admitted he was surprised by their performance since the players did not end their partying until 06:00 BST on Wednesday morning before he and five others headed off to a day of horse racing at Perth Races.

"Free bar all day - it was unbelievable," he admitted. "It is probably the worst prepared I've been for a game of football.

"It is one of our best performances of the season, which is surprising given the celebrations over the last few days.

"Just so happy that we could finish the season off like this."

Manager Valakari also admitted "yesterday in training there were some tired players and tired staff as well".

"But we wanted to put a performance in for our fans and we played like champions," he told BBC Scotland.

"Energy, quality, commitment. What we've been doing all season.

"We have been humble all season knowing especially that this league every day you need to be at your best.

"It tells me how much this team have grown together."

Valakari had been unable to prevent St Johnstone being relegated last season after taking over a third of the way through the season, but the Finn believes he has the basis of a squad that can repeat the feat of the likes of Falkirk and Dundee United who in recent seasons have won promotion, then challenged for a place in the top six.

"It is a challenge but a big opportunity and a place where we wanted to be," he said.

Captain Jason Holt is one of the players whose futures are uncertain.

"I imagine a few of the players who are out of contract will speak next week and obviously try to nail things down," he said.

For now, however, the 33-year-old midfielder was relishing an "amazing" moment.

"Obviously Tuesday was different class and it's just worked out perfect," he said.

"A great performance and result tonight and get to lift the trophy in front of the home fans - you couldn't write it any better.

"It is just great that St Johnstone are back in the top flight - that's where the club belongs.

"To be top from day one is testament to the lads."

Former Scotland forward James McFadden spent a season at the tail end of his career with St Johnstone and is delighted at their return to the Premiership.

"They have shown their professionalism with that performance tonight - and result," he said.

"They will think they have earned it. Not just tonight but over a very impressive season.

"To be at the top of the table the whole season. To deal with the pressure that comes with that.

"People might look at it and say they probably have the biggest budget. But you still have to spend your money wisely and I think they've done that.

"You have to deal with expectation and get the right characters into the club, which they have done, and they had to deal with losing [striker Adama] Sidibeh, who was a main player for them, midway through the season.

"For a club of this size, they have seen success they probably never believed was possible - Scottish Cup twice, a League Cup, a double cup-winning season and European football.

"They have had a big following for those big games, but there's then a drop off, but with Simo Valakari coming in, there has been a re-energising of the club, bringing a freshness, and Valakari deserves a whole load of credit for that.

"The fans will be looking forward to going up. Survival will be important, but it is not going to be about safety first."

McFadden came across Valakari as a young player when the former Finland midfielder was with Motherwell.

"You saw the enthusiasm he had in abundance," he recalled. "Sometimes that doesn't transfer as a manager, but he has certainly captured the imagination of the fans here.

"He has made an impact with the players and they will fancy their chances in the Premiership next season.

"It has been a theme that teams have gone up and managed to keep the momentum, which is perhaps no surprise as they have been winning games.

"I'm not for a minute saying St Johnstone will be top six next season, but they have to look at the teams who have come before them and what they have managed to achieve.

"Playing the way the play, they want to be more attacking, they will be a great addition to the league."