Callum Davidson has emphasised that St Johnstone cannot afford anything other than a solid start at Celtic Park.
Saints shipped an early goal in last week’s hugely disappointing result against Livingston and there is no room for the same this weekend.
Davidson cast an eye over Celtic’s Europa League win over Hungarian side Ferencvaros on Tuesday and was very impressed.
The Perth boss will be asking for his full squad to be 100 per cent switched on in the opening stages of Saturday.
“That’s definitely the case, we’ll want a solid start,” he said. “I think when you go to Parkhead that’s the most important thing. It’s about how well you start, you try and build the pressure with the supporters.
“So, the first 15-20 minutes will be really important, that we try and be really stuffy and look to get into the game.”
Davidson needed no reminding of the basic errors that cost his team last week and he knows any mishaps will be punished against a Celtic side picking up form.
“I just think we had too many errors against Livingston,” Davidson said. “It was very unlike us.
“Hopefully that’s us got them out of the way in the one game. Again, when you play against Livingston and you give them an early goal, they are a tough team to play against.
“We obviously played right into their hands. There are little things we can improve on.
“I’ve watched the game back and I’ve seen things we can do better as a group, not just the defenders but everybody in the team.
“I’ll be letting the players know and we’ll be working hard towards trying to rectify that.”
Davidson was the bearer of good news when he revealed centre-half Liam Gordon will return from injury.
“We know it is going to be really tough but we all want to put a shift in,” he continued.
“We have bodies back. Murray Davidson, Craig Bryson and Liam Gordon are all back fit, along with Ali Crawford.
“Murray has been out for the majority of the past month, like Liam and Cammy MacPherson. They are important players for me.
“Results have been good without them in the team but I’m glad they are back and there is real competition for places.
“Sometimes the easiest way to motivate a player is to tell them if you win games you stay in the team.
“It is all good apart from Shaun (Rooney). His ankle is still swollen. We are hoping it is a low sprain which heals a lot quicker. Shaun is a young man and he should heal quickly. Hopefully he isn’t out for too long.”
If any of his young loan kids get the nod, Davidson is backing them to rise to the occasion.
He said: “Celtic Park is a great atmosphere to play in. They are up here to experience it. That’s what you want as a player.
“Playing in front of big crowds certainly didn’t affect me when I was playing. If anything it helped me. It is all positive in my eyes.”
