Our new writer Wan Matter makes his debut with a preview of the Ross County-Celtic game.
Now that the dust has finally settled on our incredible though highly exhaustive Champions League campaign, it’s time for the team to pick themselves up from the disappointment of Wednesday night and set focus on retaining the clubs second SPL title on the trot. Of course, winning this years championship was almost as inevitable as Wednesday nights sure-fire exit but at least we have satisfaction of avoiding all blame for the former of the two. “You can only beat who’s in front of you” is a phrase we’re all too familiar with when it comes to smugly justifying the sides eighteen point advantage at the summit to detractors sneering at the sheer ease of which we’ve strolled, sometimes limped, towards securing the title.
Tomorrow, however, will prove to be no such cakewalk. Derek Adams this week secured a much deserved third “SPL Manager Of The Month” award making him the first manager outside Celtic or Rangers to achieve this remarkable triumph since the inception of the SPL. And whilst I’m sure many could have predicted County’s survival at the top table back in August, few could surely have anticipated the success they have achieved so far this season. With nine games remaining, they currently occupy fourth place in the league and entry to the Europa League’s second qualifying round next season – and incredible feat for a side who lingered in Scotland’s third tier only five seasons ago.
Lennon will tonight be mulling over the loss of six key players with four of Wednesday’s starting eleven ruled out to tomorrows trip to Dingwall. Victor Wanyama and Adam Matthews both had to be replaced due to hamstring problems in Turin while Emilio Izaguirre and Georgious Samaras both have slight strains. Normally, in the position we’re in, you would assume that this would be the ideal opportunity to draft in some of the fringe players but after last weeks disappointing 2-1 defeat to Motherwell, Lennon was vocal in his disappointment of both the performance and attitude of the bit-part players and made it perfectly clear that he wouldn’t, if fit and well, be quick to drop regulars at the expense of those in reserve. However, with an ever expanding injury list like our current one, he may  have no choice but to shuffle the pack. Ambrose at right back anyone? I’m packing my emergency defibrillator at the thought.
As far as form goes, there is no team more impressive than the hosts. Of the forty two points they’ve attained this season, twenty four of them have been won in their last ten matches. In amongst their last ten matches is an impressive seven victories and three draws – the best of which coming in the form of a comprehensive 3-0 pasting they gave second placed Motherwell. So nobody will be under any illusions when they travel up north tomorrow – Lennon and the fans certainly won’t but we will certainly need to see a drastic upgrade in the performances we witnessed against St. Johnstone, Motherwell and even St. Mirren if we plan on leaving Dingwall with maximum points tomorrow. It’s now crucial to find some domestic form as we prepare to try and banish this ridiculous Hampden hoodoo in next months’ Scottish cup semi-final against McNamara’s fired up Dundee United.
My prediction draws parallels to last months trip to Inverness – up north, freezing, under-strength side, 3-1. Never let total naivety get in the way of a terrible prediction.
Follow the author on twitter – @WanMatter
I hadn`t realised that Samaras and Izaguire would be missing. It will be a difficult place to play football. A repeat of the ICT performance is required and I can only agree that the performances at Perth Motherwell and Paisley lacked intensity. Playing well in short spells and then dropping off is not the Celtic way.
Come on the Celts!