Preview- Celtic (a)

But surprises do happen in football. Some of our best victories have been at the Old Firm when absolutely no one gave us a chance. Celtic have been strolling in the league and they looked good against Benfica but perhaps that could be to our advantage. Teams rarely hit the heights immediately after European games and there is a possibility of them becoming complacent. Even if that happens we will have to be organised, disciplined and lucky to take anything.

Clarkie came close

From our own point of view we are still without Corrigan, McLean and O'Donnell while McCormack is presumably still missing with whichever virus he has been nursing. David Clarkson staked a claim for a first team spot with his goal last week but given Calum Elliot's continual improvement it is likely that he will partner McDonald up front. Celtic are stronger at the back than people give them credit for but we must try to take the game to them as much as we can regardless. They have too much attacking power to make a 90-minute defensive effort viable for a team like us.

We have not won at Celtic Park since Kevin Twaddle night in 1999 so we are well overdue a victory there. Indeed in that time we have only managed a single point in the East End, when Derek Adams' goal was enough to secure a draw. It would be easy (very easy!) to be negative going into this game but Dunfermline won at Celtic last season and this is a good opportunity to show the rest of the league we can play a bit. We might not quite succeed in taking something but we will be proud of our efforts in a 2-1 defeat.

The last time we were at Parkhead (Health warning!)