Yesterday at his press conference our esteemed manager said that the next three games will ‘define our season’ and the first of those is tonight as we travel to Fir Park to visit Motherwell.
With the next game being of much greater significance than this one – let’s face it, the SPL was won long ago – it will be interesting to see what side Neil Lennon picks. Obviously there will be no Brown or Lustig and Mulgrew will be missing as well. Adam Matthews will no doubt come back in at right back, with Efe Ambrose back into central defence after his poor performance at right back on Sunday. Dylan McGeouch should probably keep his place after his good performance on Sunday, James Forrest will play as he needs more game time and up front the Stokes-Hooper partnership must continue. It will be interesting to see if either Samaras or Commons are used tonight, it would probably make more sense to keep them for Saturday’s cup game against St. Mirren.
As for our opponents, since they signed ‘talisman’ James McFadden their league form has taken a dip, losing 1-0 at home to Dundee United and 3-0 at Ross County, they do have the players that can cause Celtic problems though, especially top scorer Michael Higdon who has had a terrific season.
In our previous matches against Motherwell this season, we turned in a very good performance to win 2-0 at Fir Park, and then a Fraser Forster penalty save followed by a late Gary Hooper winner gave us a 1-0 win at Parkhead. Tonight could prove to be a tough game, it usually is at Fir Park, but I think Celtic will have the guile to edge it 2-1, and set us up nicely for Saturday.
Dylan McGeouch keeping his place and having Stokes and Hooper together. Good ideas!