Valencia? I’m only focused on Saints tie

Scott Bain isn’t looking beyond today’s Cup clash with St Johnstone – even with the prospect of his debut European game on the horizon.

The Hoops keeper just can’t break Celtic’s mindset of one game at a time.

The 27-year-old has taken over the gloves from Craig Gordon since the winter break on what appears to be a permanent basis.

He’ll be between the sticks at Parkhead this afternoon as Brendan Rodgers’ side defend their trophy. And there’s no room yet to look ahead to the Europa League tie with Spanish giants Valencia on Thursday.

Bain said: “Every time I’ve ever played here, I’ve taken it a game at a time. It’s the way I’ve been fed in to the team.

“So I’ve not thought about getting a game in Europe yet. “The Cup tie with St Johnstone is such a big game in the season for us, in terms of trying

to win another Cup. Once I get that out the way I’ll have a wee think about what it’ll be like to play Valencia.”

Bain admits he’s learning from experienced Scotland squad mate Gordon despite having displaced him.

He said: “Watching him play, the concentration needed to be a Celtic keeper is the main thing I’ve picked up. It’s hard.

“You can go all game with nothing to do then get called on once – and if you make a mistake, the fans will be on you. “You can’t let your mind drift. I always try and stay connected to the back four. I always try to play quite high up so I can be with them at all points.”

Bain’s work with the ball at his feet rather than with his hands is one key reason he’s finding favour with gaffer Rodgers.

He said: “We have a good system. Everyone is a good enough footballer that they can take up any position and you can trust them.”

Figuring out a way past Saints this afternoon shouldn’t be too hard for the Hoops after two wins over them in 10 days – and Bain laughed: “As long as we keep winning, I’m happy to play them all the time!”

But he knows they’ll need some help against the La Liga giants in their Europa League last-32 clash.

He said: “Big teams always talk about the atmosphere at Celtic Park and how it affects them.

“It’s great that the fans can get into the heads of opposition teams.

“But we thrive on it – you can see the intensity we play with in these Euro games, that’s down to the fans as well as the boys’ mentality. We’ll need it to get something from this game.”

One game at a time ... it’s way I’ve been fed