Saints supporters set for test with Man City
Second round British Cup draw for Perth fans
St Johnstone will play Manchester City for a second time this season - but it’s the turn of the supporters.
The Perth club’s Saturday morning football squad, PSJ Saints, have been drawn to play the blue half of Manchester in the second round of the supporters British Cup.
Earlier this year Tommy Wright’s first team men ventured south for a glamour friendly with Pep Guardiola’s world superstars, eventually losing 3-0 after a scoreless opening half.
PSJ manager Graeme Doig is hoping his players can inflict revenge when the game takes place in Perth in the coming months.
He said: “Whilst we all enjoy getting an away draw in the British Cup, we are delighted to be playing at home this time after our long journey to play West Bromwich Albion in the last round.
“It’s a very exciting draw and all the lads are looking forward to it. It’s a game we will all want to play in.
“I will remind the lads that Guardiola put one over on Tommy’s team in a friendly earlier this season and it’s time for us to level the scores.
“As St Johnstone supporters we all take pride and enjoy wearing our teams badge and colours and I think that helps us put in that bit more effort and determination when we play the big teams or Saints’ main rivals.
“The Man City team are flying high in the English league just now and will a challenging test for our players. They are currently unbeaten after seven games and can go top of the league if they win their games in hand.
“I have spoken to their manager, Nathan, a couple of times and like us, they enjoy playing other supporters teams before watching their big team play in the afternoon, home or away.
“We are playing with confidence just now and believe we have a good chance to progress but we know it will be tough.”
PSJ defeated West Brom in the previous round The date and venue for the clash is still before the end of February and once to be confirmed but, ideally, Doig says confirmed I hope to play on McDiarmid the game will be played on the astroturf park’s 3G pitch,” he told the PA. pitch outside of McDiarmid Park. “And it would be great to use one of
“We are still working on getting a the suites afterwards for refreshments suitable date arranged to play the game and to get to know each other a bit
Pep Guardiola’s Man City defeated St Johnstone’s first team in a friendly earlier this year better, which is an important part of the spirit of our league.”
It’s been a solid start to the Scottish supporters league season for PSJ Saints who, after their opening eight games, remain unbeaten and have a goal difference of plus 28.
They defeated Beechwood Albion 3-1 on Saturday morning to advance into the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.
Doig said: “We have had a great start to the season, unbeaten in nine games, progressing well in both cups and if we win our game in hand, we can go top of the league.
“We have added a couple of new players this season in key positions and together with that have a settled team and more options from a bigger squad.
“This has meant we can freshen things up quicker if we need to on the pitch and has been key to our success so far this season.”