Celtic v Saints Preview

Reserve players at both halves of the Old Firm are good enough to walk into most SPL teams. Indeed, one Celtic reserve player, Derek Riordan, was one of the first names on the Hibs team sheet last season. However, he seems set to follow in the footsteps of Billy Dodds, Stevie Thompson, Kenny Miller (at Rangers) and Stephen Pearson. All of them, and countless others, were simply bought by the Old Firm so that no one else could have them. They hardly ever played.

Of course, Riordan is still young and could may well still make it at Parkhead. Tomorrow's game against Saints presents him, along with the likes of Pearson and Evander Sno, to show the Celtic faithful that they can cut it and are good enough for their club.

Sadly, Saints are nowhere near good enough to play their reserves against anyone, although Billy Mehmet did make a rare start in the last round of the League Cup when we beat Stenhousemuir. The only changes likely are the resting of Kevin McGowne and Andy Millen as they are rather old.

John Potter, Brian McGinty, Alan Reid and Alex Burke are all out with injury and probably will be for some time. Summer signing Garry Brady has been superb for Saints so far but also looks likely to miss out with a knee injury.