CAPTAIN CHRIS DELIGHTED WITH SAINTS' PERFORMANCE

Following a goalless draw with the Scottish Champions, Celtic, Midfielder and Captain for the night Chris Millar reflected on the match.

“I think that is as good a performance that we’ve put in since the seven years I’ve been at the club, I thought from the front to the back we were different class, creating 23 chances against Celtic, not many teams do that and the only thing that lacked was a goal tonight.

“I think that if we had gone in at half time two or three up it would not have been unfair or unjust, we’ve hit the post, their keeper has made saves, Big Muzz (Murray Davidson) hit the post at the end. How many teams do that against Celtic? Not many. They have been in great form this year and are worthy champions but I think, tonight, we were more than a match for them.

“It was one of those nights where it just didn’t seem to hit the back of the net, Mikey O’Halloran had a couple of chances that he could have done better with but he’s made the keeper work on numerous occasions and caused them all sorts of problems getting in behind. They had a couple of chances on the counter but it’s as comfortable as I have ever been against Celtic.

“The chance for Forrest, he goes round the keeper and it just sits up and he slashed it, but I think we deserved that wee bit of luck because over the piece, we were the better side, I would not be surprised if the Celtic manager said that himself.

“I knew that Fraz (Frazer Wright) and Cuppy (Dave Mackay) weren’t playing and I’m the club captain, so I text him (Tommy Wright) and asked him if I was going to be Captain tonight and he text back saying ‘Yes, if you can handle it’. I really enjoyed the extra responsibility and it’s great to lead the team out, a proud moment for me because it was my 200th start“.

Saints came out of the match one point ahead of Dundee United, with United set to play Inverness on Saturday.

“I think we have put a marker down, we have said to Dundee United ‘can you go and get a result against Inverness?’ and if they don’t, then we go into the last game against Aberdeen in the driving seat. But it is all dependant on that result and if Inverness can do us a favour in the Scottish Cup Final”.

Interview by Nick Drummond-Hay