Saints v Celtic Preview

Last updated : 06 March 2009 By Stuart Gillespie
Realistically, we don't have much hope. Celtic are on a high after giving us a doing last week and going three points clear on Wednesday night. We, on the other hand, are on a downer. Enough has already been sad about last week to prevent me from going over it again, while the midweek events saw us pulled right back into the relegation mix. We haven't won in the league since the end of December and we've won just twice this year, with those wins coming in the Scottish Cup.

Even without recent events, we wouldn't have much chance of progressing. Celtic are currently going for four-in-a-row and a domestic treble. They have been competing in the Champions League for the past few seasons and have budgets the rest of Scottish football can only dream off. We are battling for a fourth successive SPL season, have to build our squad on the merest of budgets and are rubbish in the cups.

But (and you knew it was coming) this is the cup. The competition in which fans let their dreams run wild about the possibilities of their disappointing league season being brightened up by a cup run. Thoughts of upsets, big days out and maybe, just maybe, some silverware. Teams that, on paper, shouldn't have a hope somehow find themselves competing with the big boys. Look at Burnley this season. Look at Queen of the South last season, Dunfermline and Gretna (admittedly with a big budget) in seasons before. Teams from the wrong end of the top flight or in lower leagues somehow producing shocks as they chase glory. So while tomorrow should be a given for Celtic, let's just let ourselves believe that maybe, just maybe, we can make it through. After all, Aberdeen put them out at this stage last season - and at Parkhead.

Admittedly, history doesn't favour us. This is our fourth quarter-final appearance in five years. We've lost to Hibs, Gretna and St. Johnstone - the last two being particularly embarrassing. We haven't made a Scottish Cup trip to Hampden since the trophy returned to Paisley with the team in 1987. It's far, far too long, but the pressure always seems to get to us. There is no pressure tomorrow. We are underdogs. Let's revel in that status.

After a trying week, it's almost certain that Chris Smith will keep his place between the sticks at the expense of Mark Howard. After last week's horror show against tomorrow's opponents, he made a few more mistakes on Tuesday night against Aberdeen - one of which indirectly cost us two points. However, perhaps he deserves another chance. Another disaster tomorrow will only cost us our place in the cup, rather than cause problems in the relegation battle.

There will be at least one change to the defence for tomorrow as Scott Cuthbert can't play against his parent team. Will Haining will almost certainly replace him. Some fans would like us to go 3-5-2, but the problem with that is that we only have two central defenders available with Cuthbert being out and Marc McAusland being injured. Moving Jack Ross or David Barron back there wouldn't be ideal against Celtic. Prersonally, I think we should go 4--4-2 with Barron continuing at right back and Ross, back from suspension, on the right wing.

Whatever formation we go with, it has to include two up front. Going with a lone striker hasn't worked against the Old Firm. Besides, this is a cup game - a draw will only lead to another trip to Parkhead rather than a point. We might as well go at them, just like we did at Love Street in November, a game where we gave them a major scare. Billy Mehmet and Craig Dargo must start together (unless Gus MacPherson goes mad and goes with a front three). Dennis Wyness and Jim Hamilton will provide the back up from the bench. Fellow striker Tom Brighton is injured, as are Steven Robb, Stephen O'Donnell, Franco Miranda and the previously mentioned McAusland.

We all know about what Celtic have, especially after last week. Scott McDonald is capable of scoring against anyone. Shunsuke Nakamura is capable of scoring from just about anywhere. They have a creative midfield and a solid defence. In short, they have exactly what you would expect of a team that has won three league titles in a row.

This is not going to be an easy task. Not many people are giving us a chance. But, if we go at them, if every player gives 100 per cent, if every Saints supporter plays their part, who knows what will happen tomorrow afternoon.