Hoops Return To Domestic Duty

Hoops Return To Domestic Duty​

Official TC Match Preview


Celtic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Scottish Premier League
Parkhead
Saturday, November 24, 2012
KO: 15:00


After the disappointment of midweek against Benfica in the Champions League when Celtic came so close to securing our place in the knockout stages of the tournament, the Bhoys are back on league duty this weekend. Saturday sees Inverness Caledonian Thistle come to the East End of Glasgow looking to cause further upset to Celtic this week.


The SPL has been a difficult tournament for Celtic this season following Champions League games. Of the nine matches the league leaders and champions have played following continental forays, they have won just four of these. Something that has been surprising given the strength of the squad and the need to be able to fight on both fronts.



This is something then that ICT will be looking to capitalise on at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon although this may be harder than it sounds for Terry Butcher's men. He cut a very angry figure last weekend after his team's long unbeaten record was lost at the hands of a clinical Motherwell side who left the Highlands with a surprising 5-1 victory.



Motherwell destroyed Caley Thistle last time out


For a team that have often been perceived as Celtic's 'bogey' team, this is perhaps down more to one or two big results in the past 15 years than any great consistency in troubling the Bhoys. From 29 games, Inverness have emerged with the win on four occasions while they have picked up the victory in just one of the side's last 14 meetings.


In their last encounter up north earlier this campaign, Tony Watt starred for the Celts as he hit a brace to help his side to a 4-2 win but he is still a slight doubt through injury. He is not the only injury blow for Celtic as James Forrest will definitely miss out and may not be fit in time for the final group game of the Champions League against Spartak Moscow.


Miku may feature as he recovers from a minor operation last weekend although Lassad will be pushing for a starting spot following his first Celtic goal against Aberdeen last time out. Scott Brown may not be risked as a precautionary measure while Joe Ledley has also picked up a hip knock. Thomas Rogne is struggling to overcome a calf injury and Charlie Mulgrew looks set to miss out through illness. Emilio Izaguirre and Anthony Stokes remain on the long-term injury list.



Wilson eyeing important win for Celts


One man who will take the field is star defender and a man who has been a revelation this season, Kelvin Wilson, and he believes Celtic must be wary of the big threat that Caley Thistle will pose. He said ahead of the encounter: "Inverness are a team that have upset Celtic a few times down the years. They also had a bad result last weekend and will be looking to change that.


"We will be going into the match with confidence like we do in every game," he continued. "The main thing is to win the match but hopefully we can put on a good performance in front of our own fans." Following Celtic's massive win over Barcelona in the Champions League, they struggled to put on a good show against St Johnstone in the league game that followed and it ended in a 1-1 draw. Wilson too may not be available having recently picked up the flu.



Celtic found the going tough following their midweek exploits last time


Manager of the opposition this weekend and former Rangers player Terry Butcher is in a confident mood ahead of the game and has also tipped Scotland's last team standing in European football to continue their adventure in the Champions League past Christmas. He said: "What they are doing in Europe has been phenomenal. We all hoped they would get through on Tuesday but the defeat in Lisbon has only postponed the inevitable.


"I think they will beat Spartak at Parkhead in a couple of weeks time and go through because I can't see Benfica winning at the Nou Camp. To go through would be a magnificent achievement because they have been tremendous and it has been great to watch their European adventure.


"It is a daunting task for us to go to a team that could be in the last 16 of the Champions League and to go there and try to beat them on their own pitch," he continued. "But we have that every season and it is something that doesn't faze us and is something we should look forward to doing."


One to Watch:

Andrew Shinnie - So good have the ICT forward's performances been this season that he was called into the Scotland setup and won his first cap against Luxembourg. A clear danger to any defence having managed six goals and five assists in 14 games this season.


Squads





Celtic: Unavailable


Form: WLDDW





ICT (from): Reguero, Meekings, Raven, Warren, Blackman, G Shinnie, Morrison, A Shinnie, Pepper, Tudur Jones, Doran, McKay, Cooper, Polworth, Oswell, Brislen-Hall, Roberts, Foran, Sutherland, Martins, Mathieson.


Form: WDWDL


Referee: C Murray


Odds:


Celtic: 1/5, Draw: 11/2, ICT: 12/1


P.W.
​