Motherwell (H) Preview

Last updated : 21 January 2005 By Kevin Smith
Motherwell v Celtic
Bank Of Scotland SPL
Saturday 22nd January 2005
Celtic Park
Kick Off 3pm

In a repeat of the first game of the season, Motherwell are tomorrow's visitors to Celtic Park. Providing Celtic win the game we will finish the week on top of the league, regardless of Rangers' result on Sunday. A win will see us six points clear at the top tomorrow night.

Last week's 1-0 win at Aberdeen was a good three points. But like so many games this season, we failed to kill teams off at 1-0. From tomorrow, it's time for Celtic so step thigns up a bit. We are quite capable of turning teams over, especially at home, but seem reluctant to go for more goals after one.

Teams like Motherwell should be getting brushed aside with considerable ease at Celtic Park. We have the players to do so, so why aren't we doing it? If the fans get behind the team it will drive them on. This has shown to be true recently, at the Livingston game, where the fans spurred the team on for a second goal. Afterwards, it all went rather flat.

Picking a starting side for the game is pretty tricky. Last week, Juninho and Stephen McManus played well, but tomorrow, Alan Thompson and Stan Varga are once again available for selection. Does Martin O'Neill drop Juninho and McManus to make room for Thompson and Varga?

Personally, I would leave Thompson out and keep Juninho in there. The reason Thompson wasn't playing last week was due to a suspension and keeping him out of the squad for a while might just do him good. He isn't playing great this season and a spell on the sidelines may just help him. I would bring in Stan Varga and take out Stephen McManus - his time will come in due course.

Everyone is asking for Juninho to be given a chance. He got a start last week and done okay, now let's see if he can get a bit of momentum going.

Motherwell are without Scott Leitch and Phil O'Donnell and have lost their last three games. They are currently sitting in sixth place and have been struggling recently. Our last game against them was a narrow 3-2 win for Celtic at Fir Park, our last game against them at home was a 2-0 win, on that first day of the season.

It's time to start putting on the pressure not only by winning games, but by winning them comfortably. We need to show everyone involved that we mean business - that we want to win this league. Let's show them how it's done Bhoys.

Come On The Hoops!

Prediction:
Celtic 3-0 Motherwell