CHARLIE NICHOLAS isn’t confident Celtic can do the business against their Glasgow rivals on Wednesday night.

The former Celtic player cites the average performance by the Hoops against Dundee Utd after the Ibrox club dropped points earlier on Saturday.

Celtic have pulled a six-point gap back to just two points before the derby, something many fans believed wouldn’t happen. The derby was seen as a chance to cut into that six-point gap, now a win could put the bhoys top of the table.

Nicholas is always a pessimist when it comes to his former club and will always bang that drum.

There’s no doubt it’s going to be tough for Celtic and so many derby debutants to do the business, but they have a great chance.

Writing in his Express column and cited by RecordSport, the pundit said:

“Celtic have to go for it, even if it’s not about leapfrogging their biggest rivals right now for Ange.

“Of course, it’s important for the Hoops supporters. But, for the Australian boss, the final table is all that matters. And he is right.

“However, it would still be massive for Celtic if they were to win against their Glasgow foes.

“Things have changed dramatically in recent weeks – and the Bhoys have to be confident with the game at Celtic Park – with Saturday’s late win over Dundee United being celebrated for a good 10 minutes after the final whistle.

“But it was nothing more than an average performance, considering Rangers had dropped two points earlier in the day at Ross County.

“Celtic might have beaten United and held off a spirited Hearts in their last two games, but they have lost their rhythm and composure.

“Nir Bitton was massive in both but he then got himself suspended with a second booking against the Arabs.

“Celtic finished with an inexperienced side and credit to them for digging out a win through Liel Abada’s 90th-minute tap-in after appearing to be running on empty.

“But neither side is playing well. My old club are just hanging in and the Gers are a mess defensively.”

The game is set up nicely and should be one of the most hotly contested derbies in years.

Ange will send out his new look side and ask for a big performance – even with some major absentees.

Nicholas has tipped the game to end in a score draw.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Tap in Charlie he had to bring it down and finish ok you hooked me with that did you see aberdeen destroy sevco and do you think we aren’t as good as your old club even with half the team out no one knows how this team is when some team attacks us you seen that tap in the speed they shifted ball when Dundee utd actually put more than two men in celtic half and how celtic rip them apart with three passes attack us if you dare sevco

  2. Charlie last three games showed opposition play us take your time free kicks throw ins they just walk up to take a shy throw it down the line hopefully get another that’s how they make ground or the big punt when they try and play from back they don’t get far then punt referees my worry they allow time waisting against Dundee utd 78 percent position yet some how we had a higher crime count and that happens in most games and they wonder why we have no trust on officials

  3. In a way Bitton sending of might be a blessing he gave penalty away sent off in big games he can’t stop doing silly tackles hearts game how he never went considering the ref who has some terrible decisions against celtic maybe he thought penalty enough just wonder who will play

  4. Are you so blinkered not to look at the points Celtic have pulled back to get sevco running scared. Loaning in Ramsay. Turin had a day of celebration now Ramsay has gone. £440.000 a week are you jesting. he’s only played 4 FOUR
    yes FOUR complete games in 3.5 years at Juve. He’s a waster. Easy money for someone who doesn’t care. Come up to Scotland and act the big shot, Sevco paying £20K towards his wages.

  5. “ But it was nothing more than an average performance, considering Rangers had dropped two points earlier in the day at Ross County.”
    New levels of stupidity from the career waster

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