SAINTS TO BOUNCE BACK BY TAKING SOMETHING FROM CELTIC

After Saturday’s disappointing result at home to Hibs, Saints fixtures don’t get any easier this weekend as we travel to Glasgow to face champions Celtic, writes Aidan Smith.

For Saints it is the chance to get back on track after the setback last weekend – the loss to Pat Fenlon’s side saw two noteworthy runs come to an end: it was our first home defeat for ten months and fourteen matches and it was also the first time in over three years that we lost a league match after taking the lead (around forty games).

For tomorrow’s home side, it is a return to domestic action after a credit-worthy but ultimately fruitless performance against AC Milan in the Champions League and an opportunity to gain three points to keep a tremendous start to the season by Inverness Caley Thistle in check.

Manager Tommy Wright is looking forward to squaring up to his former Northern Ireland colleague and golf opponent Neil Lennon and with an (allegedly) undefeated record against the Celtic manager on the golf course, Tommy will be looking to start his managerial head-to-head against him in similar vein.

Team wise for Saints, defenders Frazer Wright and Steven Anderson have both been receiving treatment this week after knocks picked up against Hibs but other than that it is a clean bill of health.

It’s too soon for midfielder David Robertson but he is at least boosted by his appearance and two goals in Tuesday night’s Under 20 game – a 4-1 win against Partick Thistle. Chris Kane also grabbed a brace and that’s seven goals in seven games for the youngster. For an Under 20 side which now sits second in the league table behind Hamilton Accies.

Saints should head west knowing that they are more than capable of taking something from the game – we took a draw in the first visit last season and won at the venue the season before that.

The referee for Saturday’s game is Alan Muir. Admission is by ticket only and these remain on sale today from the Ticket Office or tomorrow morning between 9am and 12.30pm from the McDiarmid Park restaurant – come into main reception and turn right.

Prices:

Adult £26 Adult (restricted view) £23 Under 16s and over 65s £17 and £14 (restricted view) Under 13s £10

PHOTO: Frazer Wright has been receiving treatment on an injury picked up last weekend