Having returned to the top of the SPL in midweek, Celtic will be confident of maintaining that progress when lowly St Mirren arrive at Parkhead this weekend. Two points is currently the slender advantage that Celtic enjoy over their Glasgow rivals Rangers, with both clubs having now played the same number of games. Rangers travel to bottom club Hamilton Academical on Sunday and then go to Aberdeen in midweek – twenty-four hours after Celtic visit St Johnstone.
Vital Quotes:
“You can`t look to far ahead,” manager Neil Lennon told Celtic’s official website. “Obviously we have a good balance in the squad and we will try and utilise that as best we can as we do have a hectic schedule, although you are loathed to change it too much when the team has been playing so well. Sometimes you have to look at the pitch and conditions as well and you have to try and put a team conducive to playing on those surfaces. The majority of the players are fresh and in good form.”
“Our main priority should be to try and focus on the teams above us and give ourselves a target to try and catch them,” Saints striker Craig Dargo told BBC Scotland. “We’ve got to try and pick up as many points as we can and make a beeline for the teams above us. I can see us creating a lot of chances and there’s a lot more points for us to take off teams.’
Celtic Team News:
Glenn Loovens has recovered from the hamstring problem that forced him off in midweek against Hibernian but Daniel Majstorovic remains on the sidelines. Shaun Maloney could return after over four months absence with an ankle injury.
Celtic (from): Forster, Wilson, Mulgrew, Rogne, Loovens, Izaguirre, Brown, Ki, Ledley, Kayal, Samaras, Commons, Maloney, Hooper, Zaluska, Stokes, Ljungberg, Forrest
Player to watch: Gary Hooper
Netted a double in midweek against Hibernian to raise his own tally for the season to seventeen.
St Mirren Team News:
Defender Lee Mair is back after missing out in midweek against Aberdeen with a slight strain. But on loan Celtic man Paul McGowan won’t be allowed to play.
St Mirren (from): Gallacher, McAusland, Travner, McGregor, Potter, Thomson, Barron, Goodwin, Dargo, Higdon, McLean, Murray, Van Zanten, Mair, Mooy, Cregg, Barron, Samson
Player to watch: Michael Higdon
Fifteen goals so far this term for the Buddies striker.
Match Facts & Stats
Celtic returned to the summit with a 3-1 midweek home success against Hibernian. Saints were also victorious when overcoming visitors Aberdeen 3-2 the same evening.
Next Fixtures:
Celtic – St Johnstone (A); St Mirren – Rangers (A)
