Our Europa League third qualifying round tie hangs in the balance after last night's goalless draw with Molde. Three changes were made to our team - the injured Adam Bogdan and departed John McGinn were unavailable, replaced by Ross Laidlaw and Vykintas Slivka respectively, while Oli Shaw dropped out and was replaced by Flo Kamberi. I was surprised to see Jamie Maclaren on the bench, with Martin Boyle favoured alongside Kamberi.
The game almost started with a bang as after five minutes, Stevie Mallan shot from distance, with his shot crashing off the bar, and the rebound flew just over Boyle's head. We created few chances to score, with Kamberi often isolated in the box, and Molde had a golden one, but instead of shooting when put one-on-one with Laidlaw, one of their forwards attemptrd to pull the ball back, and his pass was intercepted by Paul Hanlon.
The second half continued in a similar vein. Molde were neat and tidy on the ball, but struggled to make chances, whereas we looked solid but not dangerous enough. We had chances to score, though - David Gray soared gracefully through the air like a bald salmon and headed Mallan's corner towards goal, but the Molde keeper made a fine save. We had a chance to win it at the end, with Gray nodding the ball down for Emerson Hyndman to have a shot which was pushed away by the keeper, and Shaw failed to convert the rebound from six yards out.
Overall it was a solid enough performance, though the team lacks the drive of McGinn in midfield. Efe Ambrose strolled through the game, Ryan Porteous looks a fine defender but his distribution needs work, and Hyndman looks like he could be an excellent signing. If we can pinch a goal away from home, I'm confident in getting through, as while they were a decent team on the ball, they seem to lack any sort of threat in the box.
For the St Johnstone game, I'm expecting Hyndman to start, Kamberi, who looked off the pace today, to get a rest, and Maclaren to get the full 90 minutes to get himself used to playing in the team again. Also hopeful that Thomas Agyepong's visa is cleared up by Sunday so he can get some game time.
misery loves company
