Bank Of Scotland SPL
Saturday 6th November 2004
Celtic Park
Kick Off 3pm
Once again, it's back to SPL action for Celtic tomorrow; Kilmarnock are the visitors to Celtic Park.
Tuesday night's game certainly brought up a few differences in opinion. Many were angered and disappointed by Celtic's performance, claiming that against nine men we should have done much better. Others are just happy with the victory.
For me, any victory in the Champions League, be it home or away, should be celebrated. Shakhtar walked all over us a fortnight previously and only managed two half chances on Tuesday night. Celtic, on another night, could have stuck away five goals but that's just the way things go. We were unlucky not to have scored more.
I must admit, though, to feeling slightly disappointed we only scored once. Our European campaign could very well go down to goal difference and it would have been great to at least level Shakhtar's goal average which stands higher than ours. However, it was not to be. We won the game, and we can now look ahead to two massive games, sure to be two fantastic nights against Barcelona and AC Milan.
So onto tomorrow. We have played Killie once this season; a hard fought victory at Rugby Park on the second day of the season, where our defence seemed to be trying to out-do each other for the 'best mistake' award. Killie are currently fifth in the SPL. Tomorrow, they will be hoping to do better than their Under 21 counterparts did against us during the week. Craig Beattie scored all the goals in a 4-0 Celtic victory. More of the same on Saturday please Bhoys.
As usual, the team news looks to have been hidden from us all. As far as I am aware, there were no new names added to the injury list on Tuesday but Bobo Balde should be fit for the game. Whether or not he will automatically gain a start in the side is a different matter, as Joos Valgaeren has played well in the two games he has filled in.
Sutton's still out and Shaun Maloney has started training again. I'd be hoping both are ready for Ibrox next week, in the SPL game. Fingers crossed.
Again we have the opportunity to heap pressure on Rangers, who play at Livingston on Sunday - the second biggest game of the day. A win is a must for Celtic, as we need some sort of boost going into these Old Firm games.
Enjoy the game, I'm going for an easy Celtic victory, with Henri Camara bagging a brace.
Come On The Hoops!
Prediction: Celtic 3-0 Kilmarnock