Bank Of Scotland SPL
Saturday 30th July 2005
Fir Park
Kick Off 12.30, Live On Setanta SPL
There were no prizes for guessing where Celtic would kick off the new SPL season. After last season's unbelievable finish to the title race ended at Fir Park, we were always going to be put there to start the new season.
I was looking forward to going to Fir Park and hopefully putting Motherwell in their place. Their fans showed themselves up as animals on that final day, physically and verbally abusing Celtic fans and celebrating a victory which got them absolutely nowhere as if they had defeated Barcelona to win the European Cup.
After our miserable start to the season though, I don't feel so good about the game. Four draws in pre-season, only scoring two goals, then Wednesday night's humiliation has made it pretty difficult to feel confident going into the SPL season.
Tomorrow is time for Celtic players to show they are Celtic players. The new Bhoys must realise that they are not playing for clubs in the lower English divisions anymore, and the older players need to show that they still have the hunger to win back this league.
It is virtually impossible to predict a starting side for the game. Almost everyone who played the other night desrve to be dropped for Motherwell, but it is doubtful many will. I think it is time Mr Hartson takes a wee trip to the substitute's bench, he has done nothing in the whole of 2005 and playing with him is like playing with a man down.
Mo Camara should probably never play again on the back of Wednesday's performance but it could possibly be put down to being a bad night. Hopefully he can turn it around for tomorrow, as he showed promise in pre-season. Shunsuke Nakamura will not play, as he has not yet secured a work permit.
Whatever the side, we need to show a desire to put Wednesday's farce behind us. The supporters must get behind the team, these are the times when the team need us most.
A win is a must, as things can surely only get better.
Come On The Hoops Prediction: Motherwell 1-2 Celtic