Shaughnessy: Saints have belief to march into the group stages
ST JOHNSTONE have spent the last six seasons shocking Scottish football and Joe Shaughnessy reckons they could do the same in Europe.
The Perth side have finished in the top six every year since 2011 – four under Tommy Wright – and have ended in the first four in the Premiership for three years on the trot.
This season’s Europa League tilt is their fifth European adventure in six years – not bad when you consider they had only qualified twice at that level prior to 2012.
Saints, Scottish Cup winners in 2014, have even been tagged the Atletico Madrid of Scottish football for over-performing on a smaller budget than the league’s bigger clubs.
Defender Shaughnessy would like to see their domestic form translate into Europa League success as they prepare to face Lithuanians Trakai in the first leg of their first-round qualifier tomorrow night.
Saints have had some notable results in Europe in recent years, not least against Lucerne and Rosenborg, but the group stage has proved elusive.
Irishman Shaughnessy has looked on at the efforts of his countrymen in recent seasons and would love to match the feats of Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers who both qualified for the groups against the odds.
The ex-Aberdeen star said: “Dundalk did so well in Europe
GARY RALSTON
last season and watching that inspires you. Shamrock Rovers also did well a few years back.
“It just shows if you have self-confidence and trust in yourself it can be done. We have that belief in ourselves.
“Last season nobody would have expected us to finish fourth but we did. We just need to try and pick up where we left off at the end of last season.
“The expectation is usually on Aberdeen and the Old Firm at this stage in Europe and we are used to that. However, that allows us to focus on ourselves. We try to do it for St Johnstone and not worry about doing it for anyone else.”
Saints crashed out at the first Europa League qualifying hurdle in their last appearance two years ago, losing on away goals to Armenians Alashkert.
They lost 1-0 on the road but Michael O’Halloran shot them into the lead in the return, levelling the tie on aggregate.
The Armenians were reduced to 10 men but stunned McDiarmid Park when they equalised. Brad McKay set up a frantic finale with a late strike but it was too little too late.
First-team regulars including Murray Davidson, David Wotherspoon and Simon Lappin watched on injured from the main stand as Tommy Wright fielded an untried team.
He may have to ring the changes again tomorrow for the visit of Trakai, currently second in the Lithuanian A-Lyga, with veteran Steven Anderson out injured.
Shaughnessy, 24, added: “Ando has picked up a knock and will be out for a couple of weeks. It’s frustrating losing your captain for the first game but hopefully we have enough to deal with his loss.”
Wright may be forced to turn to one of his young defenders like Liam Gordon, Jason Kerr or Ally Gilchrist to deal with the loss of Anderson, 31, who injured his knee in the closeddoors game with Rangers.
Shaughnessy added: “I’ll be one of the senior men in defence and that’s daunting but I will deal with it. I’ve had two years of first-team football and I’m prepared.
“The young lads are all able but I suppose I’m going to be the Ando of the two of us.
“All three of them are big lads and similar. They’re good defenders, tough in the tackle and good on the ball. You don’t hang about here long if you are not a good defender.
“It wouldn’t make a difference if they have to make their debut in a European tie. They will look forward to the challenge, at that age you don’t have any fear. It’s a chance for them to lay down a marker for the season ahead.”