BRENDAN’S IDEA
Rodgers kept the lights on to prepare for Saints clash HOOPS ACE GIVES BACKING TO ALEX & HOPES THAT HE WILL CALLUM UP
SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP
At 11pm, after Celtic’s 1-0 victory over Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday, a full-scale training session was taking place on the pitch. The likes of Scott Sinclair, Charly Musonda (inset), Tom Rogic, Odsonne Edouard and Patrick Roberts were being put through their paces by coach Kolo Toure. And with a vital second leg in Russia to come this Thursday, it was a clear sign that Rodgers will shuffle his pack for the visit of the Perth side to Glasgow this afternoon.
Saints have proved tricky opponents for the Scottish champions in the past and the Celtic gaffer expects another tough test.
But with a last-16 spot up for grabs in the Europa League, he’s hinted that some of his fringe players will get a run-out this afternoon.
Rodgers admitted: “St Johnstone can be an awkward opponent and that was my message to the players after the Zenit game.
“It was a brilliant performance from us, one of the best since I’ve been here. But we need three points in the Premiership on Sunday.
“You saw that late at night on Thursday, we did a training session to make sure we’re ready for it.
“There have been stuffy games against St Johnstone here. Tommy Wright’s team is always well organised and they make it difficult for us.
“When we’ve gone to Perth, we’ve scored a lot but here, they’re compact and make it tight. However, we’ll have to find a way again.”
Rodgers surprised a few people by leaving Sinclair out of his starting lineup against the Russians. But it worked and the winger will now have to battle his way back into the Celtic side – starting today against Saints.
His gaffer admits it was a tough call to put the Englishman on the bench but was delighted with the outcome because his team needed a big win in Europe.
Rodgers said: “Scotty has been brilliant for me, as have most of the guys here.
“But we go into every game with a plan and we felt the shape of the team on Thursday night had to be a three-diamond-three.
“We had a winger one side in James Forrest and Kieran Tierney pushing up on the other.
“We have three very good midfielders but I wanted four in there to dominate the ball.
“We had to do that with 4 v 3 in the middle and we could have played Scotty at the tip of the diamond.
“But he might have ended up going right up front and we’d have lost that superiority in midfield.
“The team needed that result in Europe. You have to respect what we’re measured against, playing against PSG and Bayern Munich.
“That’s huge but on Thursday you saw the confidence of the players.
“We’ve been doubted at numerous times as a squad and criticised.
“But that helps our growth and development – and you saw that on a big European night against Zenit.” CALLUM MCGREGOR has welcomed the appointment of Alex Mcleish as Scotland manager.
And after his wonder goal in the Europa League against Zenit St Petersburg in midweek, the Celtic midfielder has set his sights on firmly establishing himself in the international arena.
Mcgregor was involved in Malky Mackay’s squad for the last friendly against Holland, and the 24-year-old is determined to impress new gaffer Mcleish (inset).
He said: “It’s a good appointment for Scotland. He had the job before and has massive experience. “He knows Scottish football, he knows the players and when he had the job before we had some good results. “And if we can replicate that this time around hopefully we can get to a major finals. “I managed to get my foot in the door for Scotland last time so it’s now about me kicking on, trying to get more appearances and caps. “I have to do well for my club firstly and playing in big European games like against Zenit can only help.”