We are long overdue a result at Parkhead against the Hoops, but something tells me tomorrow is not going to be the day we produce it. We're struggling while they're flying along and a heavy defeat is far more likely than a shock win. However, our best results against Celtic in recent years seem to have come when we're struggling - last year's League Cup semi-final win was after Ross County had beaten us, the 2010 4-0 win was after the nine man League Cup Final disaster, we beat them in the Scottish Cup a week after they thrashed us at Parkhead in 2009 and we drew with them there shortly after Falkirk had gubbed us in 2007. So maybe the fact we're going with low hopes and expectations is a good omen for once!
Hopes probably couldn't be any lower after the events of midweek. Our game against Hearts should have been a win, or a draw at the very least. Instead we managed to lose, while Celtic were busy thrashing Kilmarnock. They've been thrashing everyone of late and haven't conceded a goal in more than two months, which is a ridiculously good record. There is no reason to suggest things will be any different tomorrow - but then a win would be the sort of stupid thing we'd do.
This game was due to be our second of the season and has finally ended up being played at the end of January. It's because of the absurd rules that allowed teams to cancel games so they can go off to play money spinning friendlies - something Celtic did at the start of the season and again earlier this month. It's a ridiculous situation, especially because Celtic sent their kids to play the first time and effectively used it as a rest, and it's a rule that needs to be removed. Still, we're finally getting to play them now instead of a midweek so I suppose that's something. Let's just hope things go better than the last time we played them when they gubbed us 4-0.
We'll be able to play Marc McAusland tomorrow after we appealed his red card. That appeal has yet to be heard so he's available until that happens, which is probably just as well as we didn't sign any new defenders before yesterday's deadline. Instead we spent most of January shipping out defenders - three of them - so it'll probably be the same defence as we've seen in recent weeks tomorrow, purely because we don't have anyone else!
It wouldn't be a surprise if we go with the same team that lost to Hearts at Tynecastle. Gregg Wylde could come in for Adam Campbell if Danny Lennon decides to go with a slightly less attacking team, but aside from that I can't see too much else being different. We now have Josh Magennis but it's unlikely we'll go with two strikers at Parkhead, so he'll have to wait on the bench for his debut. Kenny McLean could join him if he's fit but we're still without Stephane Bahoken and Gary Teale.
It's a case of when, rather than if, Celtic win the title this season. There were a number of wobbles and ridiculous dropped points last season but they seem to have nipped that in the bud so far this year and have yet to lose in the league, having won 13 games on the spin in Scottish competitions. It's a remarkable run and there's no reason why they can't carry that form on for the rest of the season, such is the gulf between them and the rest of Scottish football. Winning the league will earn them another crack at European football, although they didn't exactly do well in the Champions League this season and manager Neil Lennon didn't hide the fact he felt his team desperately needed to strengthen during the January transfer window. They only made two signings so maybe he'll go down the sensible route of blooding youngsters in the nxt few months.
Curiously, Celtic's top scorer this season isn't technically a striker. Kris Commons could best be described as a forward, an attacking midfielder or a winger. Whatever you want to call him (within reason obviously) he has fired in 20 goals and is one of the Bhoys' most dangerous players, scoring twice against us at the start of January. It's just a shame he's decided to stop playing for Scotland as he'd be a real asset for us at the moment. Anthony Stokes started off the season well before tailing off around the time he got a new contract while Georgios Samaras is intending to do one in the summer. The Greek is a frustrating player - capable of moments of genius in one game and then disappearing for a few months. Teemu Pukki and Amido Balde haven't had the best of times in Scotland since arriving in the summer but have managed to find the net in the last week or so. Leigh Griffiths probably fancied his chances of getting a debut goal against us after signing from Wolves yesterday, but thankfully he wasn't registered in time to play. Hurrah!
You have to wonder how long Celtic can keep a hold of two members of their defensive line. Fraser Forster is continuing to impress in goals and will surely attract interest from other clubs in the summer as they look to tempt him back down south. It's likely playing in the English Premiership will boost his chances of adding more England caps, which is ridiculous. Someone else who might fancy their chances across the border is Virgil van Dijk. The Dutch defender has been terrific since arriving in the summer and seems to like getting forward. He's slotted in fairly well alongside Efe Ambrose, with Adam Matthews the preferred choice at rightback at the moment as Mikael Lustig is injured and Darnell Fisher is still a bit young. Emilio Izaguirre arguably isn't as good as he was a few years ago but was impressive against us, with Charlie Mulgrew doing a job in midfield rather than at the back at present.
When he is used there, he forms part of a pretty handy midfield. Scott Brown has been terrific for the last year or so - aside from his comical sending off against Barcelona - and also seems to have kicked on for Scotland. Joe Ledley was punted to Crystal Palace yesterday as Celtic decided against losing him in the summer for nothing but in this month has come Norwegian Stefan Johansen, who seems to be highly rated as a future star. He's likely to start tomorrow with Beram Kayal out injured and Nir Biton not featuring much, while James Forrest and Derk Boerrigter have been used on the wings.
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