Saints boss not expecting Aberdeen hangover
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright does not think Aberdeen will be adversely affected by their midweek European disappointment when the Ladbrokes Premiership begins.
Aberdeen ended a third consecutive Europa League adventure with an agonising 2-1 defeat by Maribor but Wright thinks they will be focused on domestic duties.
Saints, for the first time in five years, begin their league campaign without the added distraction of European football when they host the Dons on Sunday.
Wright said: We have probably bounced back from Europe quite well. I don't think there will be any hangover from Aberdeen.
By all accounts they were very unlucky over the two legs, certainly in the home leg and from what I'm hearing about last night.
The good thing for them is that they have got a competitive game quite quickly so there won't be time to dwell on the result.
The start of a new league campaign brings an excitement and level of anticipation from all players, regardless of what you've done previously, so I'm sure they will be looking forward to it.''
Aberdeen failed to capitalise on a series of chances during a home draw before missing a penalty in Slovenia and conceding a freak injury-time own goal while down to 10 men, so may well be fired up by a sense of injustice when they run out at Perth.
Given last season's results in the fixture, which included 5-1 and 3-0 wins for Saints and a 4-3 victory for Aberdeen, Wright knows that they have to be ready for anything against last season's runners-up.
We have got to look after ourselves, we have got to be prepared for Aberdeen,'' he said.The games last season were quite interesting, they have been interesting for the last few seasons. They have always been competitive.
We know they are tough games. Derek (McInnes) has done an unbelievable job, second in the league and they have assembled another strong squad. They have improved over the summer, they have added a bit more physical presence, particularly up top.
I'm expecting them to be right up there again this season so it's going to be a tough game for us.''
Saints warmed up for the game by going down 3-0 to a strong Manchester City side in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday.
Wright said: It was a competitive game which we enjoyed, it was a great experience. It was perfect for us to be preparing for Aberdeen on Sunday.
City ran out 3-0 winners with three goals in the second half but the result wasn't the main thing. It was a training game, an opportunity to play against some of the best players in the world.
We played well and I was happy with our performance. It was 0-0 at half-time and they got two quick goals in the second half.''