Chris Millar warned Celtic they will find St Johnstone a different proposition when the teams meet in the Co-operative Insurance quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
Last season-Saints’ first back in the top flight-saw them lose all three league clashes with the Hoops, shipping 12 goals in the process.
However, Millar believes the Perth side are much improved this term.
“Last year we lost too many goals all round,” he admitted. “But this time we’re doing much better in that regard.
“That’s something the management have worked hard on. Big Michael Duberry, with a pre-season under his belt, has brought experience and organisation to us defensively which we’re also benefiting from.
“Celtic have a lot of attacking options and we’ll have to be on our game to stop them scoring, but we’re out to win the tie. Having taken seven points from the last nine in the league we’ve every right to be going into it with confidence.”
Millar added that the draw could have been kinder to St Johnstone.
“The club has a tradition of enjoying good cup runs and if you are to win a competition like this then, almost inevitably, you have to face and overcome one of the Old Firm at some stage,” he said. “As far as I am concerned there’s no reason why we can’t beat Celtic.”