Arthur's Column // 20th September

Beating St Johnstone was the first step back on a recovery process for Michael Beale and the players. The 2-0 win in Perth was very satisfying. The performance wasn't right up there but it was all about getting the three points.

It was just unfortunate to see Danilo having to go off after a horrible cheekbone injury.

He opened the scoring with a wonderful header and looked really in the mood to do more damage to Saints.

Now, he is looking at a number of weeks on the sidelines and I have lots of sympathy for the player. It's also not helpful to Michael or the team. It's up to someone else to step forward and grasp an opportunity.

I've a feeling Michael will go with Kemar Roofe to lead the line on Thursday against Real Betis.

But Abdallah Sima is also an option. He has pace to burn and Michael may feel that could be invaluable against the Spanish side.

There is, of course, the option of putting both of them into the starting line-up. Well, why not?

Cyriel Dessers will also be in the frame but I do see Kemar as being the first choice just now.

Tom Lawrence was also influential at the weekend. It was his first start in the league in over a year and he got a solid 90 minutes under his belt.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst signed him last summer from Derby County and was really looking forward to working with him. Tom is an intelligent, cultured and experienced footballer. He would have made a serious contribution last season had he been fit.

But he got injured a few weeks after his arrival and Giovanni was robbed of his services. That was a real blow. Now, though, he is back and I've a feeling he will start at Ibrox on Thursday. He has the ability to hurt Real Betis.

We are at home and it would be brilliant to start off our Europa League campaign with a victory.

It will not be easy as Real Betis is a very competent side and the strongest of our three group opponents.

But we will have almost 50,000 fans inside our stadium and we need to make it as intimidating as possible. A win would be fantastic, but a draw would also be acceptable.

We just don't want to lose our opening game and playing catch-up. We need to avoid that scenario.