St Johnstone tuned up for next week’s possible trip to Trondheim with a 1-0 pre-season success away to Cowdenbeath.
With Rosenborg expected to finish the job against Crusaders tonight and set up a Europa League qualifier in Norway against Saints in seven days’ time, the Perth club did their confidence no harm by downing the Blue Brazil in last night’s friendly fixture in Fife.
Saints manager Tommy Wright believes that his squad will be all the better for their run-out at Central Park.
“It was a decent workout and the good thing about it is it gives us an idea of where we are and we can work off that,” he said.
“Cowdenbeath probably passed it a bit better than us first half and the pitch was a bit dry and sticky but second half we passed it a bit better and probably created enough chances to score more goals.
“We created chances without hitting top gear but for the first pre-season game we’ve got to be pleased.”
Wright also revealed that he is likely to make a decision on recent trialists Rory Loy and Rory Fallon, who was with Aberdeen last season, in the next 24 hours.
Midfielder Gwion Edwards who picked up a knock in last night’s game should recover from bruising to his leg.
Last time Saints visited Central Park it was in December and under the guidance of former boss Steve Lomas in the Scottish Cup fourth round when the Perth men ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.
Of course, there was an entirely different feel about last night’s clash with match fitness the main aim for both teams.
Visiting fans got their first chance to see summer signings Brian Easton, David Wotherspoon and Gary McDonald in action from the off.
And it was one of Saints’ new boys who scored the only goal in spectacular fashion after just 90 seconds.
After Edwards was fouled 25 yards out, Wotherspoon stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and the ex-Hibs man curled an unstoppable shot beyond Cowden’s trialist keeper and in off the post.
Cowden boss Colin Cameron, who also had a look at ex-Corby striker Marc Manga as a trialist, was happy with the way his team matched quality SPL opposition.
“It was always going to be a good workout for us and Tommy brought down pretty much a full-strength squad,” Cameron said.
“The pitch was stickier than it was on Saturday but what pleased me was the way the lads kept on trying to play it.
“We played some good stuff and the younger ones did well so it’s going to be a big season for them.”