First Team
Match preview: FK Trakai vs Saints
4th July 2017
Tuesday 4th July
Tomorrow Saints will fly to Lithuania ahead of Thursday night's match with FK Trakai at Lithuania's national stadium, where the Perth men will need to score at least two goals to stand any chance of reaching the second round of the Europa League qualifiers.
Last Thursday saw the 'The Knights' leave McDiarmid Park with a precious 2-1 first leg win, despite Saints creating the greater number of chances in the match. Joe Shaughnessy was on the scoresheet for St. Johnstone while it was Maksim Maksimov and Vaidotas Silenas who struck for the visitors.
Ahead of this week's match, manager Tommy Wright will make a late decision on the inclusion of talisman Steven MacLean, who is usually omitted from matches played on all weather pitches due to injury concerns.
Tommy said: "I’ll be taking 23 players over. MacLean is champing at the bit and is desperate to play.
“But there is a bigger picture. There is a reason why he doesn’t play on plastic pitches and that reason hasn’t gone away.
“The player obviously wants to take the risk but it will be my decision and my decision only.
“At the minute I see no reason, until I get medical opinion, that it wouldn’t be a risk for MacLean to play. I’ve asked for more medical opinion and I’m waiting on that.”
Elsewhere in the side, Brian Easton and Paul Paton have picked up knocks and will be assessed, while Steven Anderson remains sidelined due to a knee injury. Murray Davidson, who played in Saturday's friendly with Aberdeen, should come into contention for a starting place in Vilnius.
SUPPORTER INFORMATION - Getting to LFF Stadium
LFF Stadium is located on Stadiono g . 2 in central Vilnius. With wery limited parking on-site on a matchday and local areas reserved for residents, we recommend the use of public transport. LFF stadium Stadiono str. 2 Vilnius 02106
BY RAILWAY
Vilnius Railway Station is located at Geležinkelio str. 16. On exiting the station, turn right and walk along Geležinkelio str. fot approximately 600 meters and turn right to Liepkalnio street and walk 400 meteres and the stadium is located on the right hand side.
BY BUS
There are two bus stops outside Stadium (bus station Stadionas) on the Liepkalnio str for bus routes 2, 12, 16, 19, 61, 81. Also close routes are to Vilnius Central BUS station. On exiting the station, walk along Gelezinkelio str for aporximately 700 meters and turn right to Liepkalnio street and walk 400 meteres and the stadium is located on the right hand side.
BY TAXI
5-10 min with taxi from old town to the stadium. Address: LFF stadium, Stadiono str. 2. Vilnius Uber is also available, o other taxi apps, like Taxify,.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS TO THURSDAY'S MATCH
St. Johnstone FC's SLO (Supporter Liaison Officer), Beverley, will be in Vilnius from lunchtime tomorrow. If you'd like to get in touch with her please email beverley@perthsaints.co.uk or phone 07462 526173.