How Simo Valakari hopes to use doubt to beat Celtic as St Johnstone boss sounds terrified of contest

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Celtic take on St Johnstone twice in three fixtures and their manager seems terrified at the prospect.

Simo Valakari has lost to Celtic already this season since he took over at McDiarmid Park so he knows how strong they can be.

And yet, the Finn has had to put on a bit of a brave face when discussing the coming double header in the Scottish Premiership and then Scottish Cup semi-finals to give his own squad some motivation.

His language, however, appears defeatist and you can hardly blame him.

• READ MORE: Celtic run riot in incredible 21st century record among Euro clubs – but are just pipped to post

Simo Valakari is nervous for St Johnstone against Celtic

The Saints sit rock bottom of the division while Celts are runaway leaders and Valakari understands his troops could be in for a long day.

“First of all, if and when we get our chance we need to take it. We need to take it to put little doubt in their heads,” he told Sky Sports when asked where they can get at Brendan Rodgers‘ men.

“The second biggest thing is – yeah we can try stay in the match the first 15, 30, 60 minutes – but you can’t switch off for one moment with them.

“If the ball goes out of play, boom they play so quickly. If we attack and they get the goal-kick they play it so quickly. The biggest thing is you can’t switch off. You need to be at your best every moment.

“Of course, we know we need to defend some moments, our goalkeeper needs to make saves and our defenders need to block shots. But at the same time, when we get our chance we need to take it and make them think as well.”

Valakari still harbours a hope, an optimism that his side can fight to the end in both games and put in a brave performance.

St Johnstone’s head to head record vs Celtic doesn’t bode well

And everyone has a puncher’s chance.

“Football is crazy, yes we know Celtic and how well they have been playing domestically and in Europe. Very, very quality and what I like about them is they are so ruthless. They keep going and going.

“Yes it is a big challenge for us, but at the same time okay, we need to go. Crazy things happen in football.

“We need to believe in ourselves. The confidence comes through work rate, what is happening when we don’t have the ball, when we have the ball and executing action by action minute by minute. Then maybe we give ourselves a chance.”

St Johnstone have not had a good head to head record against Celtic throughout history and we don’t suspect it will work in their favour this time round.

Daizen Maeda has promised a hattrick in the next outing after he jokingly spoke on grabbing a double last weekend in the 3-0 Celtic win over Hearts.