The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Wright takes heart from previous Celtic clashes
Perth boss hopes to add to points tally in Glasgow clash
Nobody was able to beat Celtic in the league or domestic cups last season, of course.
But St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright is taking encouragement from the fact that the Perth men gave Brendan Rodgers’ treble-winners as good a game as anybody.
“Despite not getting any points from Celtic last season I actually felt we played well against them,” said Wright ahead of their top of the table clash with the Hoops on Saturday.
“I think we scored more goals against them in the league than any other team managed to do, so on that front we did well.
“We go there in decent form but I don’t buy the attitude that it’s a free hit at them because there are points at stake.
“Our attitude is that we want to take something from the game, even though we know it’s going to be tough to achieve that.”
Wright added: “To be sitting with full points after three games means we can go to Celtic knowing that we’ve still had a good start no matter what happens.
“But we want to add to our points tally. We want to be sitting on Saturday night with 10 points or even 12.
“We know how tough it will be, you need to get a bit of luck and a decision or two to go in your favour.”
It isn’t just the fact that Saints are one of three sides yet to drop a point in the league that makes the Premiership table so easy on the eye for Wright.
The breathing space they have opened up on the three at the bottom is also significant.
“The first priority for me is to get to 10 points then after that we will target 20,” he said. “But it is good to have a gap over the likes of Partick, Kilmarnock and Dundee this early in the season.
“There is a long, long way to go but to have nine points over them – and a better goal difference – is positive for us.
“But we won’t be getting carried away. It’s only three games and everyone knows there isn’t much between the teams in this league.
“It’s good to win back-to-back home games as well. It’s been a perfect start but the biggest test comes this weekend.”