The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Massive ’game for Rosenborg–Wright
ST JOHNSTONE manager Tommy Wright last night piled pressure on Rosenborg by claiming it would be a “disaster” for them if they failed to get through.
Saints have been excelling at the “mind games”— as Norwegian coach Per Joar Hansen put it — with Wright and his players tagging the Trondheim team as favourites to go through in this Europa League second qualifying round clash despite trailing 1-0 going into the away leg.
The McDiarmid boss cranked things up another notch by giving his opinion on just how bad a result it would be for the visitors were they to be beaten by Saints tonight.
“It is a massive game for them and if they don’t get through to the group stages then it would be seen as a disaster (for) a club of their pedigree and stature,” saidWright.
“They will be hurting and coming here to rectify the 1-0 deficit. The longer the game goes they will become under more pressure while we could also grow in confidence.
“I think we have enough to create chances but we have to make sure we don’t get carried away with the atmosphere.
“We have to be disciplined, play to our shape and take the one or two chances that will come our way.”
HOWEVER, HANSEN brushed off claims that the odds are on a Rosenborg win as nothing more than mental jousting.
Hansen, who was late arriving in Scotland with his players after their flight to Edinburgh was delayed by a couple of hours, was in relaxed mood as he looked ahead to the second leg clash.
He brushed off the assertion from Perth boss Tommy Wright that it would be a “disaster” for the visitors should they crash out tonight, arguing that he would say that wouldn’t he.
“We are one goal down but this is about the next 90 minutes and we are ready,” Hansen said.
“We are looking to beat St Johnstone and hopefully we can do that.
“I would say the tie is 50-50. I wouldn’t say that either team is favourite to go through.”
Asked about the “disaster” claim, he replied: “If you ask a Scotsman what they think about Norwegian and Scottish football I think they would say Scottish football is bigger than Norwegian football.
“There are always going to be mind games but we are 100% focused on this game. It is classic and always like that. The manager will try to talk down the expectations.
“But I think St Johnstone is a good club. They were number three club in Scotland and beat Celtic last season and got one draw.
“So we know it won’t be easy. They have very good players and I was impressed with their team.
“They are a real team with a good balance and a very good goalkeeper (Alan Mannus) who played very well against us.
“They scored with their only big chance and we missed four or five great opportunities — it was almost unbelievable. I still think we will advance.”
But, he was pressed, what if you do lose?
“We are not thinking about that,” he answered.
“We are absolutely focused on tomorrow’s game and we play the same style both at home and away.
“Also, I have been in football a very long time and this will not be the first time I go into a game a goal down and it won’t be the last.”
Wright, who has no new injury concerns, believes the supporters — a crowd in the region of 6,000 is expected — have a major role to play as Saints look to unsettle Rosenborg.
“There is a great buzz about the town,” he said.
“They came out and created a great atmosphere at the Eskisehirspor game last year, when we were 2-0 down. I am sure they will come out in force.
“We don’t just want them for this game, though, we want them for as many games as possible over the season.
“I think in this one-off we will see a big crowd and it can give the players a lift especially in spells when the game isn’t going our way.”