Let's be honest, the chances of us taking anything from this one are slim. Yes, we have managed to beat Celtic in each of the last two seasons, but both of those successes were at home. We've managed just one point at Parkhead since we were promoted and haven't won there in over 20 years. So while it's pessimistic to think we'll be beaten tomorrow, it's also an opinion based on the facts.
So, how should we approach it? Should we put out a normal team in the hope of nicking one on the break? Or should we play defensive in the hope of grinding out a point or, if we lose as expected, we can protect our goal difference advantage over Hamilton? I'd be inclined to go with a normal team. Usually when we are defensive we usually lose anyway, and are often on the receiving end of a thumping.
The good news is that this weekend our relegation rivals are playing Rangers, although they have them at home, rather than away. They don't play until tomorrow, so may end up adapting their game plan to react to whatever result we've managed. It would be nice to put some pressure on them, but I think it's more likely they'll go into tomorrow's game knowing they have a free hit, just as we did when we played Rangers a few months ago. However, the fact we have managed to take the gap from six points to 12 - and leave them with less time to close it - in the last week should be pressure enough for them.
By all accounts, we played well in spells against Aberdeen on Wednesday night and it was good to see a few players other than Michael Higdon make it onto the scoresheet. Unfortunately, we can't do same again as Paul McGowan isn't allowed out to play against Celtic. This is a major blow and his place in the side is likely to be taken by one of Jim Goodwin or Kenny McLean. Whoever doesn't replace McGowan is likely to start anyone as either Craig Dargo or Aaron Mooy will probably drop to the bench, depending on how brave Danny Lennon is feeling. As I've already mentioned, I think we'd be as well just treating it as a normal game.
Things seem to be looking a bit better at the back recently, with Jure Travner and David van Zanten showing they can play together in a back four. This is good, as they'll be expected to do a bit of the forward running tomorrow if we do go with a 4-5-1. Lee Mair's injury just before the midweek win over Aberdeen means John Potter will probably keep his place, which is a bit of a worry. However, the rest of the team seemed to fair well, with thoughts of Hugh Murray being punted to Dunfermline now becoming a distant memory. Also good is the fact Mair is the only injury worry.
The treble may no longer be on for Celtic, but they can still do a double. They're currently top of the league and are in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup. As they defeated Rangers on the road to Hampden, you'd have to fancy them to lift the trophy in May - and the good news is Ross County are already out. It's been a good first season in management for Neil Lennon, but it's been rather overshadowed by his antics and the Celtic paranoia levels being cranked up a notch or 12. Lennon has continually been wound up by referees and even managed to get himself sent to the stands in a friendly last month.
Lennon has done reasonably well in the transfer market, although it did seem at one stage he was just throwing sausages at the ceiling to see how many would stick. Emilio Izaguirre has been earning ave reviews for his recent performances and the Hoops could struggle to hold on to him come the summer. Oriental pair Ki and Cha Du-Ri also look handy, while Celtic managed to beat off competition from a number of top English sides to land Cardiff's Joe Ledley in the summer. In January he added Kris Commons, who has been a superb acquisition.
But the main arrivals have been up front as Lennon signed Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes. Between them they have rattled in 38 for the Bhoys this season and one of them will probably end up the SPL's top scorer following the departure of Kenny Miller from Rangers in January - although Higdon may have something to say about that! Hooper has recently forced his way into the England under-21 squad but will probably need to go back down south if he wants in the full team. It's not that long ago that the likes of Alan Thompson and Chris Sutton were doing well up here but were being completely ignored by the England bosses.
Mirren Mad recently reminisced about the one year anniversary of our 4-0 gubbing of Celtic. It was the final game in Tony Mowbray's comical reign. Just over 12 months on and few of his signings are still at Parkhead - by my reckoning only Thomas Rogne and Jos Hooiveld (and he's been punted on loan) have survived the cull. Some, like Robbie Keane, returned to their clubs after loan spells. Others, like Marc-Antoine Fortune, have been binned.
There are still plenty of other players from Mowbray's time, but those are the ones he inherited and didn't punt to Middlesbrough. Scott Brown is annoying little nark who we'd all love to have in our team, while Georgios Samaras has done well in the big games. Mark Wilson has also played a bit more this season and his rewarded Lennon for his faith by scoring a few goals in recent months.
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