Saint prove it’s not Mission Impossible!

St Johnstone’s terrific result in Trondheim will have been received very differently by Neil Lennon and Pat Fenlon.

In advance of his side’s efficient and comfortable victory over Cliftonville, the Celtic boss complained his men shouldn’t be playing in such an early tie at all.

The Hoops, he argued, were suffering for the shortcomings of Scotland’s other qualifiers in recent years.

If his point was a fair one, he could scarcely have hoped for a better reaction with Saints win over Rosenborg helping get us off to a flyer.

Unfortunately for Hibs manager Pat Fenlon, that result torpedoed the argument Scottish clubs face a near-impossible task going in against foreign opposition who are already well into their season.

Rosenborg have played 16 games and sit proudly on top of the Norwegian League with the country’s joint-best defensive record.

They might not be as good a team as Malmo, who beat Hibs 2-0 in Sweden, but their preparation has been almost identical to that of their fellow Scandinavians.

I was reminded very much of the goings on at The Open, which was likened to “crazy golf” due to Muirfield playing fast in the heat.

As tough as it might be, it is the same for everyone and some golfers are thriving.

To be fair, Fenlon actually chose to point out that it was only half-time in the tie.

You can’t argue against that.

His players will have a lot to do to turn things around in the return at Easter Road this week but it is certainly possible.

Likewise, there is a danger in assuming Saints are already past the post.

They are certainly in a great position. Let in an early goal at McDiarmid Park, however, and things will suddenly look very different.

We can be sure Tommy Wright will be hammering that point home to his players every chance he gets.

Lennon has no such concerns.

Celtic will progress and will do so with the confidence of a team whose preparations appear to have been perfectly judged.

They rolled up a few defeats in pre-season but the purpose of these games is to get in shape for the competitive action.

With James Forrest, Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons all very sharp in Belfast, they have clearly achieved their objective.

Tougher opposition will lie ahead but, even without the departed Victor Wanyama, they have a squad capable of stepping up a good couple of levels yet.

We can’t forget Motherwell either, who join in later than the rest.

Stuart McCall is someone who impresses me as a manager. He has done really well.

His decision to turn down Sheffield United in order to stay put was a huge boost for the Fir Park club, as is the recruitment of James McFadden.

It is to be hoped they come strongly again this season.