The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Saint’s chance to banish memories
ST JOHNSTONE new boy Gary McDonald is looking to complete a dream start to his career in Perth by helping beat Rosenborg tomorrow evening and finally exorcise the demons of nightmare nights in Europe with Aberdeen.
The midfielder was superb in Trondheim last week, helping Saints to their historic 1-0 win against the Norwegian cracks in the first leg of their Europa league qualifier.
The joy McDonald felt at the final whistle was in sharp contrast to the despair he and the rest of the Aberdeen players experienced when they were walloped 8-1 on aggregate against Czech side Sigma Olomouc in 2009.
Now, the 31-year-old, who was Tommy Wright’s first signing after taking over as boss from Steve Lomas in June, is determined that Saints will triumph again tomorrow night.
He said: “We have given ourselves a chance but that’s all it is at the moment. Nothing has been settled but we have a real opportunity to get through to the next round.
“I had played in Europe before with Aberdeen when we faced the Czech team Sigma Olomouc in 2009 under Mark McGhee. It did not go too well though and we were thumped over the two legs.
“It was a different experience this time, that’s for sure.
“I’m not certain how Rosenborg will approach the second leg, to be honest.
“We went there with the tactics of trying to hit them on the counter-attack. We had watched a lot of videos and knew the way they played with the full-backs pushing on a lot.
“So we thought there would be chances to turn them and get in behind them and that’s how it panned out.”
McDONALD ADDED: “That information was vital as we knew what to expect.
“The coaching staff had all done their homework and it came up trumps for us. Our tactics were spot on and the boys did really well.
“People have been saying it is one of the best results in the club’s history and I think they are not too far off.
“Rosenborg are a big side with a European pedigree in the Champions League so for a club like St Johnstone to put them out would be some achievement.
“The game on Thursday should be quite similar at home and it is just about finishing it off now.
“It would be a brilliant start to my St Johnstone career and great for the rest of the boys.”
With Scottish sides suffering a succession of early-round exits in Europe in recent years, Saints’ memorable win in Trondheim created more than a few shock waves.
However, McDonald insists that with the right tactics and hard graft, there is no reason teams from this country cannot taste similar success.
He said: “Scottish sides have unfortunately tended to go out in the early rounds in Europe recently. But I think we have shown that on any given day you are capable of beating any side.
“If you work hard, you have togetherness and good team spirit you always have a chance.
“Ultimately, it is a game of football, 11 v 11, and anything can happen.”
When asked if he felt he would be flying the flag for Scotland tomorrow, McDonald replied : “Absolutely. We have had a great response from everybody, family, friends and the media. It has given the squad a lift.
“I have quite a few coming through from back home inAyrshire for the game.
“Our fans were great in Norway and we could hear them all game more than their supporters.
“We are hoping that we get a big crowd on Thursday at McDiarmid and there will be a good atmosphere.”