LASK TASK A TOUGH ASK SAYS JAMES
JAMES BROWN admits LASK could be an even more formidable Euro rival than Galatasaray for St Johnstone.
The Perth side saw their Europa League dream die when they lost 5-3 on aggregate to the Turkish cracks. But this week Callum Davidson’s side are in Austria to face LASK, with a place in the Conference League group stage awaiting the winner.
Although the Linzbased club are not deemed as glamorous as the tough Turks, they reached the group phase of the Europa last term and the last 16 the season before that.
Right-back Brown is braced for a tough night on Thursday but is confident last season’s double cup winners can give themselves a chance of getting through the tie.
He said: “LASK have a very good pedigree in Europe in recent seasons, they’ve had good results against some big clubs.
“They have been in the Europa League group stages the last two years, getting into the last 16 as well.
“And they have had big results against English teams, plus clubs from Portugal and Holland, so it’s not going to be easy. There’s every chance it’ll be every bit as difficult as Galatasaray.
“In terms of the size of club, Galatasaray are much bigger than LASK but when you look at their results they’re a really good side.
“They breezed through the last round winning 7-1 on aggregate [against Vojvodina], so that shows the level of team we will be coming up against.
“But we showed against Galatasaray that away from home, on our day, we are good enough to get a result.
“We will take loads from the two games against Galatasaray.
“Getting these matches is reward for what we did last season and I know people had written us off against them, but in our dressing room we know what we can do.
“You don’t win two cups and finish fifth in this league if you don’t have something about you.
“We have relished the challenge and the night in Istanbul is one we will all remember forever.
“Hopefully we can create more memories this week.”