His Euro hoodoo returns to haunt him

make a big impact this season.

The Saints gaffer said: “He’ll certainly figure on Thursday but it might be too early to start. It will depend on how many minutes we get into him.

“We’ve just got to be cautious with him. But from what I have seen, I think he’ll bring something, not only to our team, but to the league as well.

“He’s strong, quick, has very good feet. He goes past people very well and he’s one of those players that will get people on the edge of their seats.”

Asked whether he expected to get 10 goals a season from the attacking midfielder, Wright said: “That’s the target.

“I have followed his career. He has improved since he went to England, and someone with his ability could score more goals.

“I think this league will suit him because I have watched some League One football and it’s six-foot-three giants hitting the ball long and getting up to the second ball.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, but for a player of his type and his stature, I don’t think League One is a league where he can get the best out of himself.

“Scottish football will help him, because I do think there is more football played.”

Saints have made it to Europe in five of the last six seasons and have enjoyed some impressive results along the way.

Their best – against Rosenborg and FC Luzern – have come in ties where the clincher has been at McDiarmid Park.

This time they are at home first and Wright is determined his side will capitalise with a dominant showing.

Saints’ midfield maestro Chris Millar reckons the Perth men can build on those previous Euro adventures.

“European teams are all well organised, they’re all disciplined and they all have decent technique – so it won’t be easy,” said Millar.

“But if you don’t go in with self-belief that you can progress, you’re one down before you start.

“My mindset in any game is always that we can win it, even if the team we’re playing in Europe is decent.

“They’ll be thinking that about us as well. They’ll give us respect.

“Going back to Rosenborg when we knocked them out, you could tell right away they thought they were going to wipe the floor with us in the first game.

“I remember over there, they only had 4000 fans there, and looking over at them warming up, you just got an air of arrogance and disrespect from them.

“That’s something we would never let ourselves do – you have to respect your opponent first and foremost.

“We’ve been here before and we know what it takes to get through these ties.”