Celtic V Partick - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.Deila renews attack on pitchesRonny Deila agrees with Gary Teale's claim that St Mirren have one of the best pitches in the Scottish Premiership - but believes that is an indictment rather than a boast.The Hoops boss criticised the playing surface at St Mirren Park following the Hoops' 2-0 Scottish Premiership win on Friday night and said that artificial pitches would be an improvement at most of the grounds his team are asked to visit.Buddies boss Teale hit back, saying: "It's maybe a bit firm but it's an excellent surfaceTommy, our groundsman, wins 'pitch of the year' year after year and that's a great acknowledgement for him and a great accolade for him."However, ahead of the home game against Partick Thistle on Wednesday night, the Norwegian was not back-tracking on his assessment and went as far as to say his side should be judged accordingly."I said the same (as Teale), it is one of the best in the league but that says something about the pitches in the league," said Deila."If that is a good pitch, then I say good luck
That is not a good pitch."I am not saying they do a bad job but the pitches are not like that in England
The ball is not bouncing around all the time."This is the Scottish Premiership we are talking about here."We get evaluated every game about performance; how good we are playing and entertainment and there are high demands."And if that is a very good pitch then the demands on us can't be so high."If you want high performances then you need good pitches."Celtic are seven points ahead of second-placed Aberdeen having played a game less but Deila believes the title race will "open up again" if the Hoops fail to get the win."The game on Wednesday is a very big game for us," he said."If we win, we put pressure on Aberdeen again and if we lose then it is open again."Everything is possible in football
No one can take the points we have from us but we have to win more games before we win the league."I have never taken anything for granted in football
If you do that you can eat your words."So this game is important and Partick Thistle is one of the best teams at the moment."They have had some good results and it is going to be a good test for us."We have to be up for the game and have a good performance."Captain Scott Brown is suspended for the game
The Scotland midfielder has gone through the disciplinary points threshold and will sit out one game.Charlie Mulgrew (hamstring tendon) and right-back Mikael Lustig (ankle) are still out.Meanwhile, Partick boss Alan Archibald admits he would swap a win over Celtic for three points against fellow relegation battlers Motherwell at the weekend.Ninth-placed Jags are seven points ahead of the second-bottom Fir Park side, who will fancy their chances of reducing that deficit when they host Scottish Premiership basement side St Mirren on Tuesday night.Asked if the visit of the chasing Steelmen on Saturday was the more important of this week's two fixtures, Archibald told Press Association Sport: "Yes it is
I don't think you can lie
I think it is more important."If we are going to pick three points from either game, we would take three against Motherwell."But this game against Celtic is up first and if we can take anything from it, it's a bonus."But we know that Motherwell will be the bigger game for us."Archibald believes the goalless draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday - which means the Firhill side have lost only one in five after five straight defeats - was ideal preparation for the match against the league leaders.The former Thistle defender said: "It might be a good point and see us staying in this league and it looks as if it will set us up nicely for the Celtic game."It will be a similar type of game
Celtic will have more of the ball so we will need the same work ethic."The only difference is we have to take our chances because you don't get too many against them."Kris Doolan and Stevie Lawless are doubts for the trip
Striker Doolan sustained a hamstring injury and wide-man Lawless picked up a knock in the goalless draw against the Dons.Dan Seaborne (ankle) remains out along with Sean Welsh (ankle) and Christie Elliott (broken hand)
Source : PA
Source: PA