The only disappointment was that we failed to find the net in the Champions League. What a boost to some player’s CV if they were able to list a goal in the top competition. With any luck we’ll break this season’s duck soon and the floodgates will open.
On their way
Few of the fans on the homeward journey had anything but praise for the performance. All acknowledged the lack of a cutting edge and accepted the limitations of our squad. We had travelled with no great expectation but were drawn by the chance to see the team show the colours in the Athens Olympic Stadium.
Although the view from the away enclave in the upper stand was unobstructed we were around two hundred yards from the far goal. An athletics stadium is no place for football. What was surprising was the absence of catering under the stand. An enterprising local did a roaring trade when he appeared with packs of bottled water. He had a captive market badly in need of hydration. There were no toilets available inside the arena we had to make do with a row of portable cubicles. Not what we might have expected from a five star location. The police, including the riot squad, had an easy job but their presence said little for Greek hospitality. The friendly welcome and haggis pies at Dingwall delivered a better customer experience.
Photo session in the Olympic Park
It will be good to return to the familiar setting of Fir Park on Saturday for the first SPL game on home turf. We’ll need to hope that toll of travelling and playing in heat does not afford St Johnstone any advantage. Was the thought of the weekend game in McCall’s mind when he rested Higdon against Panathaniaikos? The big man had only fifteen minutes on the pitch and should be fresh against the Saints. Let’s all do the Higgy!
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