Grant heads for Norwich as Celtic return to Perth

''One minute I was training with Celtic and the next I was in the car heading for talks with Norwich before I could catch my breath,'' Grant said yesterday. ''It was all done in a bit of a rush, but I'm delighted that everything has been sorted out.

''I'm really looking forward to this chapter in my career. I want to see what English football can teach me. I've done it all at Celtic, but I think it was time to try pastures new because I wasn't in the first-team.'' While Grant will be preparing to make his debut in the Nationwide League against Crewe, his team mates will be returning to the ground where they beat St. Johnstone 1-0 in the Coca-Cola Cup on Tuesday.

The result may have been right, but the performance did little to inspire confidence and St Johnstone will be looking to right what they must feel was the wrong of John O'Neil being sent off in that match.

''Last Tuesday was not an easy game, and it will be even harder this time,'' Celtic head coach Wim Jansen said yesterday. ''They promised us they would have a stronger team for this match.''

So too will Jansen, with Reggie Blinker and Jackie McNamara available again after injury. They will add a width to their game which Celtic sadly lacked earlier in the week.

Jansen will be looking for his first league points of the season, mindful of his next fixture of the premier division -- Rangers at Celtic Park.

''Every game is an important one for us at the moment, and yes we need to get league point,'' Jansen said.

The head coach does not feel, however, that his side will have benefited much from finding out how St Johnstone play earlier in the week. ''Every game is different and I do not think either side will play the same game,'' he said.

He certainly will be looking for an improvement on his players part. On Tuesday, his side did not seem to have a focus to their play.

With people like Darren Jackson and Henrik Larsson, Jansen has players adept at playing just behind a central striker, but that is exactly the type of player which he lacks and he knows it.

''Finding someone who can score a lot of goals is a priority now,'' Jansen said, doubtless one hastened by Celtic's admission that Jorge Cadete will not be back. ''Scoring goals is the most important part of the game,'' he said, reassuring those, perhaps, who fear that his era will be one of defensive football.

Celtic's problems in adapting to his new style, and new players has not been helped by a recent run of injuries, which Jansen feels should be taken into account when his side is assessed.

''So many times we have had to change the team, but the players will be able to adapt to each other better when I manage to field the same team from one week to the next,'' he said. ''It is easier for a coach when he can choose the same team every week.''

St Johnstone manager Paul Sturrock will not be able to do that either, of course, after the sending off of O'Neil, although Roddy Grant will play as his red card was not for violent conduct.

Sturrock dismissed suggestions that today's match is a ''a grudge game''.

''There's no question of that - there was hard, competitive tackling on Tuesday, but no sign of any vendettas among the players.,'' he insisted.

Management was also involved in sendings off. e John Blackley, Sturrock's assistant, as well as Grant have been disciplined by the club, although the club has made clear that no action will be taken against O'Neil. After scanning television pictures, the Perth management have taken the view the player was the victim of a misguided refereeing decision.

There apparently the matter rests.

''Tuesday is history and my players have to realise that. They were given Wednesday off to let the dust settle and get any frustrations out of their systems,'' manager Sturrock said.

''You can feel sorry for yourself only for so long. Now, they have an important match ahead of them and their approach has to be right. Maybe we didn't get a rub of the green in midweek, but you just hope it goes your way in future,''

'Rub of the green' was how Sturrock also described the penalty which won the game for Celtic, when Calum davidson was adjudged to have handled the bal, when many thought the ball played him.

''We have to reflect positively on our performance. Nobody let themselves down on that score. There were grounds for optimism, but optimism isn't what wins football matches. We have to produce the same endeavour and attitude in pursuit of three points.''

With Danny Griffin available after being in the Northern Ireland squad in midweek, the manager must choose between him and stand-in Stuart McCluskey who performed well against Celtic and Motherwell.

That decision may be made easier if captain Jim Weir, who pulled through 120 minutes despite ongoing achilles problems, fails a late fitness test on the injury.

Keith O'Halloran, summed up what the players' attitude is. ''We were disappointed to lose so it's great to have another crack at Celtic so quickly. They will be dreading coming back to Perth.We know we've nothing to fear,'' he said.''

BOOKIES' VIEW

St Johnstone 13-5; Celtic 5-6; draw 12-5.