Matthias Jaissle could not have been clearer last month. When Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel informed him that his former side were looking at Lewis Hall, the Newcastle United head coach uttered two simple words in response. Newcastle sold Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon during a summer of huge change, but the club were unequivocal about Hall.
The German midfielder's second-half strike proved against St Johnstone on Wednesday night as Martin O'Neill's leaders made it six Premiership wins from six. Now comes a trip to face Rangers with a place in the League Cup semi-finals at stake.
Derek McInnes has urged Rangers to "bring the crowd with us" in Sunday's League Cup quarter-final showdown with Celtic at Ibrox. Anxiety was again evident among the home support as Rangers struggled in the second half against St Mirren on Wednesday night before Bojan Miovski's stoppage-time strike secured a fourth straight win. The hosts will be backed by a 50,000-strong home support on Sunday, with no Celtic fans allowed amid a ticket allocation row between the two clubs.
Rangers manager Derek McInnes has been speaking to the media before Premier Sports Cup quarter-final against Celtic on Sunday at Ibrox. The Ibrox boss emphasised the importance of striking the first blow against a good Celtic team to deliver the chance to "be relevant domestically again in terms of winning trophies". McInnes stressed the need for discipline alongside being competitive and aggressive, adding a "bit of fire and ice at the right times can help matters".
Facing the league leaders was always going to be a free hit and the team played with a tempo and energy that was refreshing. The passing interplay, movement and pressing off the ball is definitely better than has been seen for a few years at McDiarmid Park. Poor from Cheick Diabate for the goal, no idea what he was trying to do, but Joel Cotterill looks a player, Enes Alic was superb down the left again and Toby Steward outstanding in goals.
Sam Johnstone's smile beamed like the McDiarmid Park floodlights after the goalkeeper's accomplished Celtic debut. Making his first league appearance in 21 months, the Wolves loanee impressed as Celtic preserved their 100% start with a hard-fought 1-0 win at St Johnstone. Johnstone was something of a surprise inclusion in place of Viljami Sinisalo - but has he played his way into the team for Sunday's League Cup quarter-final with Rangers at Ibrox?
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