PARTICK THISTLE will tonight be aiming to add to the one point they have picked up against Celtic from a possible 63 available in Premiership meetings against the Hoops.
The Jags got a surprise 1-1 draw at Parkhead last season on the evening Scotty Sinclair missed a penalty-kick and very little went right for Brendan Rodgers’ men.
The champions have already beaten the Firhill outfit twice in this campaign – Olivier Ntcham getting the solitary goal in Maryhill in August and Kieran Tierney and Stuart Armstrong on target in a 2-0 triumph in the east end of Glasgow last month.
Rodgers takes his players to Firhill this evening in the knowledge they have won all 12 of their trips to the Jags’ ground with an aggregate score of 33-6. Thistle will be desperate to get even a point this evening and punters will be looking at the football odds today to see where there is value. Maybe Griff for the opening goal?
And, of course, the Hoops have not conceded a goal in the five games following the reverse against Hearts at Tynecastle, the club’s only loss in 75 games against Scottish opposition.
Skipper Scott Brown is well prepared for the Scottish Cup rehearsal and said: “Glasgow derbies are always something to look forward to.
“They had a good result against Queen of the South the other day, so I’m sure they’ll have a similar team and they’ll be ready for us as well after the break we’ve all had.
“Everyone will be fresh and it should be a good game.
“People are coming after us a little bit more than probably they were last season, so we’ve got to be a little bit wiser as well.”
Jags gaffer Alan Archibald said: “You’ve got to take your chances against Celtic. They’re very few and far between.
“We did reasonably well in the two previous games, but a couple of switch-offs in defence and they can cut you open.
“They’ve got that quality, regardless of what team goes out.”
NEW CQN PODCAST OUT TONIGHT WITH THE ORIGINAL HOLY GOALIE, JOHN FALLON
A Celtic State of Mind presents its 31st instalment of insightful discussion around the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning treble-winning Scottish champions.
Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham are joined by Lisbon Lion, John Fallon, at The Penalty Spot in Glasgow.
The interview took place as part of A Celtic State of Mind’s first live event – Five-a-sides at The Penalty Spot – and, as such, there is some background noise (including mobile interference – apologies) from the audience.
John – The Original Holy Goalie – discusses pay disputes, bonus rows, cigarettes & alcohol at Seamill, breaking up The Lisbon Lions and The Quality Street Gang, the battle of Montevideo, his volatile relationship with Jock Stein, and he finally tells the full story behind his European Cup winners’ medal.
The CQN Podcast has gone from strength-to-strength over the last few months, and there are many more guests lined up in the months ahead from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature and politics.
Our first two editions of 2018 have attracted huge audiences for the interviews with former Celtic Director Tom Grant them politician and life long Celtic supporter Tommy Sheridan, who likes a rant!
Talking about rants, we hand over to the Original Holy Goalie, when it comes to matters concerning Celtic, he has an opinion on everything. Legend!
Connect with A Celtic State of Mind @PaulDykes, @anorthernprose and @CQNMagazine and subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or through your podcast player.
Order Jim Craig’s new Lisbon Lion Diary – Right Back to 67 from CQNBookstore.co.uk and you will receive a signed copy from the man himself plus a FREE copy of That Season in Paradise – Ten Months of Celtic Heaven signed by fellow Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld! Simply order Jim Craig – Right Back to 67 and the second book will be sent automatically. Stocks are running very low so hurry!
