Having surrendered a couple of points late on last weekend and in turn losing a little more ground in the title race, Celtic will be keen to avoid a repeat tomorrow against Inverness Caldedonian Thistle at Parkhead. Dundee United’s shock injury-time leveller means that Celtic are currently three points behind their Old Firm rivals in second place. And they will be coming up against a side continuing to punch well above their weight and still unbeaten in the league on their travels so far this season – with a very impressive five wins and two draws from their seven games played. However, Celtic have already won the reverse fixture 1-0 on the opening day of the campaign before then hammering six goals without reply against the same opposition in the Co-operative Insurance Cup.
Vital Quotes:
“I’m a big admirer of what Inverness represent,” Celtic manager Neil Lennon told BBC Scotland. “They are a very proud club, a community club and I think Terry has done a brilliant job, not only getting them up to the SPL, but they have been one of the best teams in the league this year. They have been a real surprise package, but that comes from momentum picked up from last season and obviously the experience that he and Maurice Malpas have between them.”
“It’s a test, but we’re not nervous,” Caley midfielder Lee Cox told BBC Scotland. “We got a draw at Rangers, so we’re going to go in with the same mentality as that. We’re going to go out, we’re going to enjoy it, we’ve got to go there full of confidence.”
Celtic Team News:
Celtic will be without left-back Emilio Izaguirre who is expected to be sidelined for around ten days due to internal bleeding in his thigh. Better news witnesses striker Anthony Stokes recovering from a virus.
Celtic (from): Forster, Cha Du-Ri, Majstorovic, Rogne, Ledley, McGinn, Samaras, Ki, Murphy, McCourt, Hooper, Juarez, Maloney, Stokes, Hooiveld, Mulgrew, Zaluska, Towell, Wilson, Loovens
Player to watch: Ki Sung-Yeung
South Korean international with composure and fluency in possession at the heart of the Celtic midfield.
Inverness CT Team News:
Caley’s Kevin McCann is definitely out due to a knee injury and joins fellow defenders David Proctor, Chris Innes and Kenny Gillet on the sidelines for the high-flying visitors.
Inverness (from): Esson, Tokely, Munro, Cox, Shinnie, Duff, Hayes, Ross, Foran, Rooney, Odhiambo, Sutherland, Golabek, McBain, Tuffey, Morrison, Duncan, Sanchez
Player to watch: Adam Rooney
Dublin-born striker with thirteen goals to his credit already this season, including six in his last three games and a hat-trick last week against Hibernian.
Match Facts & Stats
Celtic narrowly won their opening day visit to Caley Thistle 1-0 courtesy of a Paddy McCourt effort, and also put six goals past them in the Co-operative Insurance Cup back in September. But surprise packages Caley are still unbeaten away from home in the league in their seven games so far this season after recording wins at Aberdeen, Hamilton, Kilmarnock, St Mirren and Dundee United, in addition to draws at both Hibernian and Rangers.
Next Fixtures:
Celtic – Aberdeen (A); Inverness – Dundee United (H)
