In a way, it's a good thing. Realistically, any points gained from games against the Old Firm are a bonus rather than expected and getting these two games out of the way quickly leaves you free to get your results elsewhere and not have your momentum interrupted with a mauling. It's probably just as well we weren't hammered last week, as going into this one on the back of a heavy defeat would have been asking for trouble.
It was Franco Miranda who finally ended 490 goalless minutes for Saints last week, the left back scoring with a fine finish after Craig Dargo's neat backheel. Despite the fact the Argentinian has found the net recently while everyone else hasn't, I believe he should be dropped. He arguably cost us a point against Dundee United with his messing around and he nearly cost us a goal last week, gifting the ball to Kenny Miller only for the striker to conjure up an amusing miss. Alan Reid did less than that against Aberdeen last year and wasn't in the team for months, yet Miranda hasn't been dropped at all and has sometimes kept his place at the expense of Steven Robb. It's likely Miranda will be starting again tomorrow - Robb is struggling with injury and Scott Cuthbert's loan deal from Celtic rules him out, meaning a back three is unlikely. As a result, Miranda will start at left back - or perhaps on the left wing with Ryan McCay at left back... Franco scored against Celtic last year so hopefully he keeps up his goalscoring form with a similar effort tomorrow - as long as he doesn't do anything silly.
The other person who played a part in last week's goal has to start tomorrow. Craig Dargo deserves another chance and has looked sharp on his substitute outings in recent weeks. Most fans want him paired with his former Inverness Caley Thistle strike partner Dennis Wyness, but that's unlikely to happen. Wyness was involved in the reserve game during the week while Dargo wasn't, suggesting that Denzil will be on the bench. Dargo and Billy Mehmet it is then, which is at least an improvement on last week's loan striker plan that was as good as useless after five minutes.
Other changes to the team could see Andy Dorman dropped after another poor game, with Stephen McGinn - whose grandfather apparently used to be chairman of Celtic - the most likely person to come in. However, if we're reverting to a 4-4-2 it could just be a straight swap with Dargo replacing Dorman, although McGinn could start on the left wing. On the injury front, Robb is doubtful as previously mentioned, while David Barron, Tonet, Tom Brighton and Stephen O'Donnell also miss out.
Celtic have benefited from some incredibly fortunate refereeing decisions from Eddie Smith on the last two occasions we've faced them, denying us a creditable point each time. Why they have struggled against us and needed help is a bit of a mystery, as they have far, far superior players to ourselves. Scott McDonald is always a threat up front, while Paul Hartley and Barry Robson - neither of whom is much liked by the Saints support - have caused us problems in the past, although haven't looked quite as dangerous since moving to Parkhead. One place Celtic have always looked reasonably strong against us is in defence, partly because we rarely threaten any team, let alone one half of the Old Firm. Artur Boruc is a good keeper, if a little eccentric, while Gary Caldwell and Stephen McManus have built up a good defensive partnership over the last few years. This year they've been joined by Glenn Loovens, who has also chipped in with a few goals.
Celtic are apparently in a bit of an injury crisis at the moment, which is laughable considering they have a massive squad and will still be able to field several internationalists on Saturday. Aiden McGeady and Hartley are both doubtful, while their recent problems have seen youngster Cillian Sheridan played up front. Given his recent performances, that's hardly a problem.
With or without an injury crisis, Celtic should still win comfortably tomorrow. There's no Eddie Smith refereeing this time, but given our recent troubles the visitors will likely ease past us by three or four goals.