MATTY Smith may be returning to Saints with two Grand Final winners’ rings and a Lance Todd award, but the mixed reaction to his signing means that the 29-year-old will have to do plenty to win over the doubters.

The former Moss Bank Bulldog, who was nurtured through Saints’ juniors system before being being sent away at the end of 2010, has developed into a fully fledged England international.

However, what he has done in the past four-and-a-half years wearing the Cherry and White of Wigan appears to cut no ice with a significant number of Saints supporters.

Seen by Saints coach Keiron Cunningham as the experienced man to steer the ship with Australian linchpin Luke Walsh being allowed to go, Smith will carry a huge responsibility on his shoulders when he teams up with young stand off Theo Fages.

Smith said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be back at my hometown team.

“It should be a seamless transition as I have come through the system at Saints and know the key staff and players as well as the club’s culture.

“I am committed to bringing silverware back to the club and look forward to helping the younger players develop.”

But the man, who was last seen in a Saints shirt at the 2010 Grand Final defeat by Wigan, will have the additional challenge of winning over an army of doubters who let their feelings known by letter, phone, Twitter, Facebook and numerous website forums.

Instead of basking in the afterglow of another Grand Final win, Smith will instead have it all to prove again.

But as a scrum half, that should all be water off a duck’s back.

Here is a selection of the comments that have been aired on the St Helens Star’s site after the story broke.

Bilko1 commented: “Have you seen the hill? Smith is over it.Terrible signing, terrible. Shows no ambition.”

That was echoed by Star_reader, who remarked: “Terrible statement by Saints. Just so you’re aware Saints, a season ticket is definitely not on my radar.”

The Pigeon added: “It is a underwhelming signing.”

But the Smith return found favour from Mike Perry.

“Great signing - just like Lee Briers, he should never have left!” he said.

On Twitter there was again a mixed response with some welcoming him back.

Nicky Leach tweeted: “Should have never let him go. Welcome home Matty.

Kev Pender added: “A steady half back who wins trophies and can nurture Theo and Danny Richardson. I’ll take that.”

Jason Ryding tweeted: “He’s never been a flair player, but you need a foil for Fages and he’s an old head, local too.”

Lee G put forward: “Well irrespective for opinion, Matty Smith is a St Helens player again. And as such deserves our full backing.

Former teammate from 2006-08 Leon Pryce thought it was a good move by the club.

“Great signing for Saints Matty Smith. St Helens lad too. Won’t meet a nicer lad than Smeeg’s,” he said.

Bronson tweeted: “3 solid signings. Smith put his body on the line Saturday (Grand Final) and will do same for Saints. Looking forward to the new season already.”

But not everyone on Twitter was so encouraged by Smith’s return.

Saddened wrote: “What a farce of a signing and what depths the club has dropped to. Watch those season tickets burn.”

JamesSaintLatic added: “As for Matty Smith. The thought of him in a Saints shirt next year is a difficult one.”

Gb2304 stated: “Not exactly a Paul Pogba type of signing is it Saints? You really have no clue how the fans feel.

Darren J Barker: “Very average player in a good Wigan team.”

Steve Szabo was also unconvinced: “A big step backwards. Don’t dislike the guy but we could have got somebody younger.”

The signing has certainly got supporters talking and debating, for good or ill. And the negative reaction of some to the signing has provoked a defence.

Supporters site RedVee.Net pitched in with: “If you’ve ever stood on the terraces singin ‘Saints Until I Die’, yet are using the signing of a player as an excuse to stop going? Just wow.”

GrahamC suggested: “Saints fans need to look at the bigger picture. He plays lots of games and is a consistent performer.”

While Angela Coats added: “Personally I think Matty is a very under rated player, he’s been the glue that has helped to keep a young team together this year.”

Other supporters, while not doing cartwheels at the return of the man who has been kissing the Ancient and Loyal badge for the past four seasons, are prepared to give him time to prove himself in the red vee.

One supporter, no doubt in a jokey reference to playing at Wigan, stated that he would be welcomed back “once he has had a good bath.”

And Danny Hardy said: “For me he’s a Wiganer and he’s got a lot to prove before I start putting my faith in him.

“I ain’t putting the red carpet out yet.”

And Matty Gannon reflected on what may be going through the new Saints scrum half’s mind should he have the misfortune to read social media.

“Imagine poor Matty Smith reading all the Saints fans tweets about him. He’d be terribly glum,” he said.