Sunday, 30 August 2009

Ignore the distractions and concentrate on another three points


Regardless of the distractions of the transfer window, Eduardo and disappearing chairmen Celtic have to pick up on their impressive domestic form today at Hibs.

The widening gulf between the SPL and the Champions League is evident to all after the Arsenal matches but the world can't be changed before kick-off at Easter Road.

This weekend is incredible for stories, almost everything carries credibility with the transfer window closing down but retaining our 100% record before the international break is essential.

BORUC
Hibs have caused Celtic plenty of grief in recent seasons but with Artur Boruc back on form that should be one door closed leaving our creative players to cause some damage.

The least said about our last trip to Easter Road in May the better, it was an afternoon lost as a predictable 0-0 draw handed the title initiative to Rangers.

Today it will be all new with anyone betting on a 0-0 draw likely to attract some very strange looks.

Putting aside the defeats from Arsenal won't be easy but the best way of getting over them is to power ahead domestically with winning the league almost certain to provide direct entry into the group stage of the Champions League.

STOKES
There is no reason to fear any team in the SPL. Every club has been forced to tighten their budget with Anthony Stokes at Hibs the only significant arrival at any club during the close season.

This season's Celtic won't go out to counter their opponents by matching their brawn in midfield, due diligence is carried out but against the background that Celtic will have enough fire power and creativity to see off whatever our opponents have to offer.

That attitude breeds confidence, it can be a risky policy but as the team continues to win confidence grows and belief that the system has the answers, last season there were plenty of matches where Celtic just kept on playing away without creating a worthwhile chance without varying their play.

SUBSTITUTES
Tony Mowbray's use of substitutes has been interesting, no one is too big to come off with the manager looking to 14 players for every match.

Aiden McGeady and Shaun Maloney were replaced against Arsenal when all hope of a win had been lost, they are both certain starters at Hibs and will be expected to be the match winners.

Last season's title was lost by the dreadful form away from home. The opening day win at Aberdeen suggested that the negativity has gone.

If Celtic can kick off the new season with wins at Aberdeen and Hibs then they'll have laid to rest last season's away day demons and set the agenda for every game this season backed up with the belief that they have the ablilty to win whoever they play, home or away.

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