Easton faces race against time to be fit for Europe

Key defender hopes to overcome injury to be ready for first round qualifiers

Brian Easton is facing a race against time to be fit for the start of St Johnstone’s Europa League campaign.

Manager Tommy Wright revealed that the full-back may need an injection to his knee and is keeping his fingers crossed that the only recognised leftback at the club will be in his usual place for the first round qualifiers.

And the same goes, of course, for the player himself.

He said: “We’re all looking forward to the draw on Monday and now just need to make sure we get back into shape.

“That is so when we go into the European game we will be ready to do well and do ourselves justice.

“I’ve not really thought about the draw. We’re looking to progress to the next round so we’ll take whatever gives us the best chance to do that.

“Hopefully it’s somewhere good for the fans and accessible for everyone.

“If you look at the previous European experiences alone, you can take something different out of every game.

“We’ve played the bigger teams and also those who we didn’t really know much about and didn’t know what to expect.

“Even with a defeat you learn from it. Going into this year I don’t think there is much that can faze us.”

The Saints players know that they carry the responsibility of “flying the flag” for Scotland in Europe, according to Easton.

And they will be determined to do their country proud.

“Flying the flag for Scotland is one of the great things about European football,” said the former Dundee and Hamilton full-back.

“Even the other teams in Europe – Celtic, Aberdeen and Rangers – we’ll be cheering them on too, which is something you can’t say every week.

“We all want the Scottish teams to do well and I’m sure everyone around the country will be feeling the same for us.

“We want to go out first and foremost to do it for our club and fans – but also to do it for Scottish football as well.

“Things in Scotland are starting to look on the up and if we can help with the European co-efficient and build the profile of Scottish football then that would be great.”

Former Kilmarnock winger James Dayton is understood to be a trialist with Saints at their Largs pre-season training camp.

SNS. Brian Easton is looking forward to Monday’s draw.