The Northern Irishman said: "It is another tough game.

"We played very well the other night but you have got to prepare for a different game.

"We have always played very well at McDiarmid Park so our strategy going into the game is to work as hard as we did the other night.

"In these types of games you have to make sure you are very strong defensively, very concentrated and hopefully then your quality comes through."

Since returning after the winter break the treble champions have won four games out of four – one in the Scottish Cup – scoring 12 goals and conceding none.

That return to form pleases the former Liverpool boss.

He said: "The intensity of our game has been good. We were in need of that break.

"It was very beneficial for us after all the games we have played.

"That has given us that freshness and then the young players we have brought in (Oliver Burke, Timothy Weah) has given us that real impetus into the league and cup games and you can see that freshness and hunger in the team.

"So yes, it has been a good start to the year. But sometimes these games are difficult. These are the games you are expected to win.

"Managers and coaches will tell you, they are never always as easy as that.

"But we have played very well, good concentration in the games, qualified for the next round of the cup and got our points in the league."

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