Trip to Sweden will suit Foster

Saints defender identifies an ideal opponent after return to Europe is sealed

ST JOHNSTONE 1 PARTICK THISTLE 0

Richard Foster has revealed he hopes St Johnstone are paired with Swedish side Ostersunds when the Europa League draw is made on June 19.

Saints will be on their continental travels once again after nailing down fourth spot in the Premiership.

That achievement was sealed thanks to Saturday’s win over Partick Thistle at McDiarmid with Danny Swanson scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.

Foster admitted that Saints have proven the doubters wrong once again and he is hoping a kind draw will see his side face a team that one of his best mates works for.

He said: “Europe has been our goal for a while now. So to secure that was a really nice feeling.

“Every season, we are not exactly written off but everyone thinks, ‘Surely they can’t do it again?’ but we have a great spirit in the dressing-room.

“Partick are a good side and have given us a lot of problems here especially this season so to win the game and qualify for Europe was great.

“One of my best friends, Kyle Macaulay, works as a scout and performance analyst for Ostersunds, a team in Sweden.

“They won the cup there and are in the same qualifying group as us.

“So it would be nice to get drawn against them.

“There is that excitement when the draw comes up – who are you going to get, where are you going to go.

“You are not going to get a big team in the first round but you have to start somewhere.

“It will be exciting and interesting to see who we do draw.”

No matter who Saints are drawn against, Foster is looking forward to adding to his store of European memories built up while playing at Aberdeen and Rangers with one game for the Ibrox club being a particular highlight for him.

He said: “My first start against Valencia in a Champions League game at home at Ibrox in front of a packed house was an incredible experience for me.

“To be told the day before the game that I was playing was amazing.

“They all have a special place for me but especially that one.

“To play in the Champions League is a dream for most players.

“To get that chance at a packed Ibrox when it was absolutely bouncing … and we got a positive result.

“So that probably stands out from the rest.

“However, I stupidly kept my jersey after the Valencia game instead of asking to switch with Juan Mata.”

Another memorable game – mostly for the wrong reasons – was for Aberdeen against the mighty Bayern Munich.

The Dons drew the first leg with Foster saying: “To be fair that was on a tattie field! I don’t think Bayern fancied it.

“The boys were incredible and to draw at home to Bayern Munich was a great achievement.

“I never played in that game and I was watching from the stand. I got brought back for the next game and we got beaten 5-1!

“But the Allianz Arena was so impressive. They had some great players so it was an incredible experience.”

St Johnstone scored what proved to be the winner against Partick in the 33rd minute. Swanson was tripped in the Thistle box with referee Stephen Finnie having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Swanson dusted himself down before calmly dispatching the penalty low to Cerny’s right and into the corner of the net.

Saints started the second 45 in determined fashion and Cerny had to look lively to hold a fierce shot from Liam Craig.

Shortly after, Craig turned provider when he sent a dangerous free-kick in from the left with Cerny having to pull off a fantastic save to keep out a Tam Scobbie header.

Saints had another huge shout for a penalty when Paul Paton was sent tumbling in the Partick box but this time Mr Finnie was not convinced.

Wright’s men continued to dominate and in the 74th minute Swanson embarked on a great run before unleashing a rising shot that Cerny did well to tip over.

Foster admitted that it will be a very quick summer break but the positives of Europe far outweigh any negatives.

He added: “My little boy is going to come down for the first week after the season finishes.

“Other than that, I have no plans. My girlfriend is away working a lot so it will just be the case of going where she is and hang out there.

“I think we are back on the 10th of June – 19 days from Sunday.

“It is going to be tough but on the flip side we have qualified for Europe so the positives certainly outweigh the negatives.

“We are excited and ready to go when the time comes round.”

It will be exciting and interesting to see who we do draw. RICHARD FOSTER