St Johnstone will travel to face Celtic for their Premiership season opener and Tommy Wright is in a seemingly confident mood ahead of the clash.
Wright’s side have endured nothing short of a disastrous start to the season. They’ve been eliminated from the League Cup at the group stage, following defeats to Forfar and Montrose.
They’ve also missed some signing targets, with Wright recently confirming to the BBC they’ve lost out on Aberdeen striker Stevie May.
Despite all of this, the Northern Irishman is seemingly in good spirits ahead of the Parkhead clash, believing some people need to think again when it comes to his side’s capability.
He told the Courier: “It’s almost like there has been a black cloud over the place since we missed out on top six a couple of seasons ago. We have finished 8th and 7th since then, while bringing the age of the squad right down and looking to the future.
“I think people need to have a reality check. When we have Drey Wright, Mikey O’Halloran, Danny Swanson and Matty Kennedy up top – with a striker still to come – nobody can tell me that isn’t an exciting proposition.
“That’s as good as anyone outside the big two. Obviously the Betfred has put focus on us but as I’ve said, there were circumstances there. I can’t do anything about negativity if that’s what people want to create.”
Wright and St Johnstone need to avoid a hammering
Whilst the Saints do have attacking options in the likes of Swanson and Kennedy, they’ve not got an out and out goalscorer. Chris Kane is the only recognised senior forward at the club ahead of the Celtic tussle.
Kane’s ability will be tested, and if he doesn’t perform, there isn’t anyone to turn to. It’s an area that needs addressed urgently.
It’s important that Wright installs the confidence he has in the club into his players. After a terrible League Cup run, some players need a boost.
Playing the champions away from home isn’t the ideal place for that to happen. It’d be a big shock given the McDiarmid Park club’s recent form if they were to take anything away from Parkhead.
They must ensure it isn’t a cricket score, or confidence will crash through the floor. A heavy defeat in this game sets the tone for the next few games.
Three defeats in 11 days to Celtic last term between January 30 and February 10 seen the Saints go on a run of two wins in eight games after their matches against the Hoops.
Wright has seen the effects of Celtic defeat. He’ll be keen to make sure his St Johnstone side give a good account of themselves in Glasgow.