Shunsuke Nakamura has today hinted that Celtic are better equipped for the run-in with Hartley and Robson in the centre of midfield, and has stated that he believes that if Celtic win their final four games they will lift the Corrupt Cup.
He said: "We are getting better. In the last few games, with Barry and Paul Hartley in the centre of midfield, we have played simple football.
Against Rangers that is probably the best way for us to play.
"I think the team is improving all the time. Barry has arrived and he's getting used to the system and the way we play. The type of passes the manager likes and the style.
"Paul is also becoming a very important player for us. When he arrived from Hearts last season it wasn't always easy for him but he is playing well at the moment and is so important to the team.
"Andreas Hinkel has also been excellent and it is great to see Mark Wilson back playing.
"On top of that we have a great keeper, a good defence, strikers who score goals and Aiden McGeady has been outstanding all season."
Naka also spoke of last week's stunning strike against Rangers as being one of the best in his career to date saying: "The goal against Rangers was probably the best I have scored in my Celtic career.
"It was my first in an Old Firm game which is obviously important to me. I don't feel as if I've been playing too well recently, so the feeling when it went in was incredible."
Naka said: "Of course the Rangers game last week was important but we must build on that now. We must go forward and take confidence and belief into all the remaining games.
"After Rangers we face Motherwell, Hibs and Dundee United. They have given us hard games this season and we need to play with the same desire as we did against Rangers.
"We can win these games but we have to concentrate 100 per cent. The Rangers game is massive but the three which follow it are just as important.
"We need to keep the form we showed in last week's Old Firm game going for the rest of the season."
Celtic must now approach the remaining games of this season in the knowledge that points on the board are far more important than games in hand, and goals could be at a premium should the sides end up tied on points at the end of the season. Can Celtic do the unthinkable and rescue the Championship from the Jaws of defeat? Only time will tell but one thing is for sure, Celtic have nothing to lose, whereby Rangers have everything to lose.
Speaking of Rangers, is it not strange to hear the words "Barry", "Ferguson" and "suspended" all in the same sentence? Those fickle European referees eh?
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt