ST JOHNSTONE midfielder Ali McCann has called on the people of Perth to come out in their numbers as Saints square off against Galatasaray on Thursday.

The McDiarmid Park outfit are set to welcome the Turkish giants with the Europa League third-round qualifying tie well and truly in the balance at 1-1.

Perth and Kinross Council gave the go ahead for Callum Davidson’s team to host a sell out crowd for the fixture and McCann is excited for the occasion.

“A big crowd will be unbelievable,” he beamed. “I’m sure the fans will turn out because games like this don’t come round too often. The fans turning out in force can only help us.

“I’d encourage anyone who is swithering about coming to the game to do so. You can’t beat a game like this. It’s going to be a great night and the lads are all buzzing for it.

“Hopefully we can put in another performance everyone can be proud of. If we do get through, it would be incredible. It would be a huge result for the club, the fans and the city."

McCann was instrumental as Saints picked up an important draw in Turkey during the first-leg and after his impressive display a highlights reel of his performance surfaced on social media.

Fans of clubs across Scotland have admired the Northern Irishman’s showing, but McCann himself didn’t take much notice.

He continued: “I’m sure they have sped that video up because I can’t run that fast! I was tiring towards the end over in Turkey but managed to dig it out and all the lads pulled together.

“I play my own game and just do what I do. The club is doing brilliantly at the moment and that is great to be part of. Whatever happens on Thursday we still have another tie after it, whether the Europa League or Conference League.

“There is plenty to be excited about this season. We have a great blend of young and experienced players.”

Reflecting on the first leg, McCann added: “We were training the night before and it took a while to get used to the heat. I was feeling it 20 minutes into the game when we were chasing them around but the occasion takes over and you forget about it.

“We rode our luck early on but we played ourselves into the game, got a foot on the ball and became stronger and stronger. I was confident when Jason was stepping up for the penalty. I was nowhere near it after my penalty in Dingwall!

“It was a long wait for him but he kept his composure. It was crazy running to the corner celebrating when their fans were whistling and booing us.

“Conceding so quickly after scoring was disappointing but coming away with a 1-1 draw was still unbelievable. The whole thing over there was brilliant. The atmosphere, the stadium and the facilities.

“We managed to put in a great performance and one that the club and fans could be proud of. It has given us something to build on.”