Euro dreams can come true Griffin hopes Saints side book spot
Danny Griffin has European memories to last a lifetime now he wants the current crop of St Johnstone stars to create more of their own.
The former Perth full-back competed with the might of Monaco back in 1999, keeping tabs on the likes of David Trezeguet and Marco Simone.
It’s moments like those in football which fail to be erased from the mind and Griffin knows how special it is to compete in Europe.
Saints are on the brink of qualifying for the Europa League this year, with a fourth-place finish in the Scottish Premiership enough to cement another trip to the continent.
Griffin, who now works with the Saints in the Community team, admits he thought the club’s European days were over after the high of Monaco.
“After we did it, I thought the club would never get into Europe again,” Griffin explained to the Perthshire Advertiser. “But they have proved me wrong and hopefully it can be done again this year.
“This club has been doing it for many years now, fighting for Europe and for third spot in the league.
“I think everybody in the dressing room will want it because it is such a good experience. If they do get it, the players will be back in early and won’t get much of a break.
“But the incentive of being in Europe with St Johnstone, that is the start of your season. You should be going away on a wee break and thinking I’m coming back ready and raring to go.
“You could be playing anyone and it could be another top European side. Look at the Rosenborg game over in Norway – what another great European night for St Johnstone.
“If it was me still downstairs, I would be relishing it. If they were to get Europe this year they would know what to expect. I think every Saints fan will want to go and support the team.”
Northern Irish internationalist Griffin knows European football can’t be taken for granted – circumstances can change quickly in football.
He added: “You never know when the last European game could be. Things can change. But this club seems to prove a lot of people wrong and it has been that way since I played. They keep producing results that people don’t think they are going to get.
“In the last six or seven years, if other clubs looked at the model this club shows, then they would be better off. It’s partly down to the manager and the players he brings in. He knows what players he wants for the club.
“They play as a team and that has been the way since I was here as a kid at 15. I don’t think it will change.
“The club has never changed, with players coming in who roll their sleeves up and work hard.”
That hard work was certainly on display when Griffin and fellow Perth players gave Monaco a scare in 1999, losing 6-3 on aggregate.
“The biggest one for me has to be against Monaco,” he said. “When the draw was getting made we were sitting in the players’ lounge. Out of the teams you could get there was West Ham, London and then Monaco.
“When Monaco get drawn out, and then they call St Johnstone, it’s mouth watering to think you’ll be up against the likes of Fabien Barthez, David Trezeguet, Ludovic Giuly and John Arne Riise.
“And also knowing that, hey, we could have a good game against them.
“From Nice Airport to Monaco it was like a sightseeing bus. On your right we have David Coulthard’s house and Eddie Irvine’s is on the left.
“You arrive and think what a different world this is. People driving Ferraris around the streets. The night of the game we held our own for 70 minutes Danny Griffin hopes the current side can again book a place in Europe and, inset, the Europa League trophy and Miguel Simao’s missed three one on ones with Barthez. We ended up getting beaten 3-0.
“For me it was exciting to think who I was up against in Trezeguet and Simone. Trezeguet was a young guy coming through, who was well thought of, so I fancied having a kick at him.
“Everyone was in a bubble. It’s probably one of the best games I’ve played in, knowing you held them for so long and had chances.
“Until recently, the game we played them at home was the first time they had conceded three goals in Europe.
“Hopefully Monaco still remember us, knowing that we gave them a good game.”