St Johnstone will be playing at home and are unbeaten in seven games but incredibly, one prominent bookmaker believes that Tommy Wright’s side are an 8/1 long-shot to beat Celtic tomorrow lunchtime.
Saints have liked nothing better than upsetting the odds in recent seasons and striker Steven MacLean insists they are capable of doing so once again against Ronny Deila’s league leaders.
St Johnstone have proven again and again this term that they are match for any opposition and they also possess a great never-say-die attitude with last Saturday’s game at Ross County a case in point when they secured a last-gasp result in a 3-2 win.
Former Rangers striker MacLean said: “This season we haven’t kept as many clean sheets but we are better off the way we are now. If we concede it looks like we can score and then win the game.
“Last week again shows the character of the team. Once we lost the first goal, we should have settled down and realised what needed to be done.
“You are going to concede goals and have scary moments in games but you just need to dig in and come through them.
“Celtic are going to have long spells of the game on Sunday. So we know our shape is going to have to be good and work hard. Hopefully, Celtic have an off day and we play well.
“But on our day, we are a match for anyone. Celtic are massive favourites but we know we can certainly give them a game. We will be going into it with confidence and looking for three points.”
Celtic were on Europa League duty in Turkey on Thursday night and MacLean admitted Saints have to capitalise on any weariness Ronny Deila’s side may be feeling after all their travelling.
He added: “I think there will be a tiredness. But the tiredness soon goes if you give them an early lead and something to hold onto.
“If we can start well and get in their faces, then the tiredness might come into it.
“The longer the game goes on, hopefully they might start feeling sorry for themselves.
“Looking at their team on Thursday night, I think it will be freshened up for Sunday.
“So I think they will make a few changes. And maybe he picked his team on Thursday with a view towards Sunday.
“They have a great squad with strength in depth. Whoever comes in will be wanting to do a good job. It’s going to be tough, a great challenge and one we are looking forward to.”
Saints will be without midfielder Simon Lappin and striker Graham Cummins through injury although the latter signed a contract extension earlier this week, a development MacLean warmly welcomed.
He added: “It’s good from the club sorting the boys out early. Graham deserves it because his performances have been excellent.
“He makes really good, intelligent runs. It complements the way I want to play and gives me more space. I think he makes me look like a better player.
“From his runs I can float, drop into pockets and find space. He’s had a good amount of assists for a few of my goals so we have really hit it off.”