Chris Millar ready to return for Minsk game

ST JOHNSTONE midfielder Chris Millar has declared himself fit for Thursday’s Europa League clash with FC Minsk in Belarus.

Millar was outstanding in the away win over Rosenborg in the previous round but missed the 1-1 draw in the second leg with a groin injury.

He said: “I should be fit for Thursday but I was gutted to miss out last week. I iced the injury constantly but by the time I took the test on Thursday I knew deep down that I wasn’t fit. It’s about being professional – you could play and end up costing the team because you’ re not able to track a runner.

“It was a game we needed everyone bang on for and I didn’t feel like I’d be able to safely say I was really at it.

“We had a similar situation in a cup semi-final with Motherwell when I wasn’t fit and Collin Samuel was in the same boat. We were touch and go.

“He played and I didn’t. During that game you could see he wasn’t right. From that experience I vowed I would never do that. You’re not just letting yourself down – it’s the team and the fans as well.

“An occasion like that means so much to everyone that we all felt involved. It’s for the fans, the management and the players.”