Caley Thistle take on Celtic tomorrow with John Hughes’ men joint top of the league and three points clear of Ronny Deila’s Hoops.
When the teams met in August Caley Thistle ran out 1-0 winners but with Celtic striker John Guidetti striking a rich vein of form, Hughes is well aware of the challenge that his team face.
Celtic team news
- Derk Boerrigter will miss the game after he went under the knife for a knee problem.
- Midfielder Kris Commons is a doubt for the game as he continues to struggle with a buttock injury which has been troubling him all season.
Caley Thistle team news
- Youngster Ryan Christie returns from suspension after missing the Dundee United game due to his sending off against St Mirren.
- Skipper Richie Foran (knee) remains a long-term absentee.
Did you know?
- Caley Thistle won the last meeting between the clubs but the aggregate result between the two teams over the last three games is 11-1 to Celtic.
- The last Caley Thistle players to score against Celtic were Aaron Doran and Richie Foran in a 2-2 draw at the beginning of last season.
- Caley Thistle have won just two of their last 13 matches against the Hoops.
- There has not been a sending off in games between the two teams since the teams met in February 2012 when Daniel Majstorovic and Steve Williams were both sent off.
- Celtic strikers Anthony Stokes and Leigh Griffiths both scored hat tricks against Caley Thistle last season.
Ronny Deila says
Speaking to the official Celtic website, Deila discussed the last meeting between the teams: “We had 10 changes in that game but we had an important game in the Champions League afterwards so it was something we had to do.
“Against Motherwell we had five or six changes and the last time out we had three and played better and won.
“We have to learn from this but also try and develop everyone so we can play two different teams sometimes if we need to.”
“Kris is close but we don’t know if he will be ready for Saturday or not.
“It’s an injury we won’t take any chances with as he’s an important player.”
John Hughes says
“We’re playing a Celtic team hitting form at the right time but I always knew it would come.
“They’re going to win the league. They have the biggest budget, best support, best stadium, best players, so it’s a massive challenge for us. But we go there in good form and momentum.
“We’ve got great respect for their players. I worked with Stokes. He’s a maverick and a lovely guy. He’s one of these guys I like being around. A loveable rogue, shall we say.
“Then you see the form Scott Brown is in for Scotland and his club.
“I expect all our players to be rubbing their hands and seeing what they can do. If they’re not, then we’re a man down.”
Celtic provisional squad
Gordon, Lustig, Matthews, Izaguirre, Denayer, Ambrose, Mulgrew, van Dijk, Kayal, Johansen, Bitton, Brown, Commons, Berget, Scepovic, Wakaso, McGregor, Griffiths, Stokes, Henderson, Zaluska, O’Connell, Fisher.
Caley Thistle provisional squad
Brill, Raven, Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco, Tansey, Draper, Watkins, Ross, Vincent, Doran, McKay, Polworth, Baptie, Williams, Horner, Christie, Evans, Devine, Sekajja, Esson.