CRISTIAN GAMBOA ON HIS RETURN TO ACTION
“It’s not difficult because we train well and all the guys are ready to play.
“We have 25 players here just waiting for the chance to play.
“It was a difficult game for us. The gaffer made a lot of changes after the European match with Zenit St Petersburg.
“He rested a couple of guys and gave opportunities to guys like me. But it was difficult.
“We’ve been on the sidelines for a while, so it is good to get involved for 90 minutes.
“I’m happy we didn’t lose as it was tricky. The pitch wasn’t in the best of conditions, but I’m proud for the group because we always try to win the match.”
THE CELTIC STAR COMMENT: Interesting that Gamboa should mention the state of the Parkhead pitch which Brendan identified himself last year. It is a two years job transforming the surface into the hybrid pitch Rodgers wants and it will be completed this summer. It should make match days more enjoyable!
CAPTAIN McGREGOR SO PROUD
“It was a proud moment and something I’ve been working so hard for since I was eight-years-old.
“To come through and captain the side on a day like this was a proud moment but we know we can play a lot better than that.
“We didn’t really create anything other than a few half chances. We’ve got to do better.
“St Johnstone came and made it difficult for us but we’ve got to find a way of playing round that and get some momentum going in the game.”
THE CELTIC STAR COMMENT: Callum McGregor had quite a week, scoring that wonderful winning goal against Zenit, receiving great praise from his manager and captaining the club on Sunday. A win would have completed the fairytale but maybe another goal in Europe can do that on Thursday? Fingers crossed…
CHARLIE NICHOLAS PREDICTING 3-1 ZENIT SUCCESS
“I have to admit Celtic’s defensive structure, which had been all over the place, looked excellent last weekend to go against my prediction that they’d lose the first leg.
“Plenty of my friends point out that Zenit haven’t played in months but more importantly Celtic showed they do have Plan B in European games when they know they’re not going to dominate the ball.
“People might think us Scots are okay with the weather over there but the conditions are a different level of cold and I’m afraid I’m going for a tough night for the travellers and another Celtic defeat.
THE CELTIC STAR COMMENT: Nicholas is entitled to his opinion and a positive Celtic result on Thursday would be all the sweeter given his thoughts on a betting related site today.
TOMMY WRIGHT ON BRENDAN’S ‘COMPLIMENT’
“I saw Brendan’s comments and the way I see it, my players should take them as a compliment.
“Brendan rated our performance highly when we had a chat after the game and he certainly wasn’t questioning the commitment or integrity of my players as some people might be suggesting. We know ourselves results have been disappointing since the win over Rangers. That performance and the one against Celtic set standards we have to emulate in the games ahead.
“We have been asking ourselves why we haven’t been coming up with performances like we have produced at tough venues like Easter Road, Celtic Park and Ibrox.
“We talked about the win over Rangers going into Sunday’s match. We knew we had to reach those levels again to take something from Celtic.
“We knew it was possible because we got a point there earlier in the season. The arrival of George Williams and Matty Willock has added freshness to the squad and we got influential performances from our more experienced players on Sunday.”
THE CELTIC STAR COMMENT: Tommy Wright is a respected manager who consistently has the Saints with a tiny budget, punching above their weight in the league. They never spend money they don’t have and always seem to lose their goalscorers. Wright, correctly, is highly regarded by Brendan Rodgers.
TITLE RACE IS ON BUT NEIL LENNON THINKS CELTIC WILL WIN THE LEAGUE
“I still think Celtic will win the league, but it’s nine points with 12 games to go – so why not?
“Brendan prioritised Thursday night with his team selection against St Johnstone on Sunday, I get that.
“Actually, they have come out a point better off. They are nine points clear whereas they were eight points clear going into the weekend.
“It is going to be very difficult for the chasing pack. You could say there is a title race on.
“Rangers, Aberdeen, ourselves, the teams behind, we need to find consistency if there is going to be any sort of title challenge at all.”
THE CELTIC STAR COMMENT: Managers never say it is over, why would they? Privately they may have a different view. Neil Lennon doesn’t think there is any danger of Celtic not winning the league even if a Europa League run is likely to see more points dropped. The trouble is the chasing pack are all more than prone to dropping points themselves or taking points off each other, as Lennon did to Aberdeen on Saturday. Scenes like to picture above are likely to be repeated in a few months time.
