Rest precious limbs at Tannadice

Tomorrow is match day 5 of a 38 game Scottish Premiership league programme, and although there’s a possibility we may find ourselves five points adrift, the result from Tannadice will have absolutely no bearing on our season.

Celtic must weigh up the needs of squad fitness for the next four days, concluding with the visit to Malmo on Tuesday. We have some precious limbs attached to Virgil, Scott, Stefan (J) and most of all, Sugar Ray Griffiths. I strongly recommend all are rested tomorrow. The consequences of any of these players being injured for Tuesday is not worth contemplating.

It was considerably reassuring that Qarabag, who Celtic eliminated in the last round of the Champions League, won away at Young Boys of Berne last night. Any team winning in Switzerland have earned respect.

It was just as reassuring that Malmo’s last round opponents, Salzburg, went down 2-0 to Dinamo in Minsk. It’s difficult to determine comparative strengths this early in the season, but some people may have overestimated Salzburg and underestimated Qarabag,

We’ll find out on Tuesday.

Well done to all concerned with the Jock Stein Charity Match, which takes place on Sunday, 6 September, at East End Park, Dunfermline, in aid of Celtic Foundation and Pars’ Foundation. Alan Stubbs, who will be wearing the hoops one more time, said, “The thing about Celtic is that it’s a fantastic club, both when you’re there and when you’re not, and that’s a testament to the fans”.

Best of luck for the season, Alan.

British Champion boxer and Celtic fan, Scotty Cardle, is also playing, as is X-Men star, James McAvoy. Details here.