CHRISTIE Elliott acknowledges it would be “brilliant” if Partick Thistle ended Celtic’s unbeaten domestic record when they make the trip across Glasgow to Parkhead tonight.
Elliott is an admirer of the way Brendan Rodgers’ side have played and got a close-up look at them over a week ago when they won 4-1 at Firhill in the sides’ previous Ladbrokes Premiership encounter.
However, the 25-year-old striker, buoyed by the 1-1 draw against Hearts at Tynecastle on Saturday, hopes bottom side Thistle can bring that run to an end.
“They will obviously keep trying to stretch the record that they have got as long as possible,” he said. “But it would be brilliant for us to stop that run and hopefully get three points, which is more important for us.
“We played well against Hearts and all the lads are confident. We were disappointed we didn’t take all three points with the chances we created. We have to start taking them. If we had taken them we would probably have won 4-1 or 5-1.
“But Celtic have been brilliant, they are a very attacking team and they create a lot of chances.
“It is one of those games where we have to be solid at the back and the chances we create, take them. We know three points are vital in every game now.”
Asked if Celtic could go unbeaten for the rest of the league campaign, Firhill manager Alan Archibald said: “I think it will be tough for them, tough for them with the games they have coming up. They have a tough run of fixtures. I am not saying it is impossible but it is down to the rest of the teams to stop that happening and hopefully we will give it a go.”
After their convincing win over Thistle, Archibald took note of how the champions continued with a 1-0 home win over Hamilton before the weekend victory against the Taysiders.
He said: “One thing you take from Hamilton and Dundee’s performances is that they didn’t give Celtic any goals. They had to work for their goals and that’s something we didn’t do here.
“We gave two goals away just after half-time which left us with us a mountain to climb. But every game is different. The players know what they did in the game, the things they did poorly and if we can rectify them, it gives us a chance.”
Adam Barton and Danny Devine are both doubts for Thistle tonight. The two defenders picked up knocks in the draw with Heart.
Mustapha Dumbuya (Achilles), Ryan Scully (shoulder), Stuart Bannigan and Gary Fraser (both knee) are all still out.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here