GARY MACKAY-STEVEN hopes he gets the chance to dazzle against Inverness Caley Thistle tonight in the Highland capital as Celtic aim to stretch their lead at the top to 27 points.
The winger made a rare first team appearance when he came off the subs’ bench in 10 minutes to replace the limping James Forrest in the 2-0 win over Hamilton Accies on Saturday.
Mackay-Steven said: “I have been working hard at training and in the gym and you just want that wee chance to play.
“It is never nice, though, when it comes about because of an injury. No-one wants to see that.
“James has been excellent for us all season. He has really shown so much and I would be the first person to hope he can get to full fitness as quickly as possible.
“But if it means that there might be a chance to play then you just have to focus and do what you can to take it.
“I enjoyed the game against Hamilton Accies at the weekend and, hopefully, I can get some more game time under my belt over the next few weeks.”
Celtic are off to Inverness this evening to revisit the scene of the only ground where they have lost league points this season.
Richie Foran’s outfit held Brendan Rodgers’ men to a 2-2 draw back in September, but Mackay-Steven believes the Hoops are no more motivated tonight to win the game than they would be under different circumstances.
He added: “The thing that you have to appreciate is that it is a team that wants to win no matter what is going on.
“It wouldn’t have mattered if we had beaten Inverness 5-0 up there that day – we would still be going up tonight wanting to win the game.”