We’re getting to the end of the month now, as finally we can come off what is known as the January diet-which is when you’ve got no money left for food.<\/p>\n
Celtic are over in Edinburgh today, with a lunchtime kick off against Hibernian, who have already taken points from Neil Lennons team this season.<\/p>\n
Still unbeaten in the league, Lennon has started dreaming of doing the unthinkable-a complete season without recording a loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would probably be the best thing I\u2019ve ever done.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s almost an impossible thing to do. And we are just over the halfway mark so there is a long way to go. Just one bad day and that\u2019s it. So it\u2019s a real test to keep the lads fit, healthy and at their peak both mentally and physically.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we are enjoying that challenge. It\u2019s a great incentive for the opposition AND us. It gives an extra edge to each game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Listening to the way Terry Butcher spoke yesterday, about how he wants to be the team that stops the run, backs this up, and despite those who talk and write about Scottish football preaching doom and gloom, there will be an extra edge to the games.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The last visit to Easter Road saw a very physical approach to the match from Hibs, not quite as bad as Motherwell, but certainly a decent impression, and Lennon is looking forward to a tough game again, despite his complaint last time round that Hibs were a bit lively;<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen do I ever complain? I like the physical side of the game, I was that type of player myself. But I just felt that some of the challenges were over the top.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cTerry\u2019s Inverness team always had the impression of being physical but lately you\u2019ve had the likes of Doran, McKay, the Shinnies, they added a bit of quality and flair to his team.<\/p>\n
\u201cHibs also have players who can play. But we have good size and physicality if we need to mix things up. Our discipline is good though. Apart from the Anthony Stokes red card last week, our record has been exemplary over the years in domestic games.\u201d<\/p>\n
So, with all this talk about being determined to keep the run going, there seems little chance of the youngsters getting a run out, and apart from the suspended Anthony Stokes it’ll be the regulars that are out there today.<\/p>\n
Or will we see Stefan Johansen, and maybe the terrors of Trabzonspor Amido Balde and Teemu Pukki given a shot at forming a partnership ?<\/p>\n
For those who maybe think the kids can’t hack it, and to be honest, amongst the support there may not be that many, have a look at the success of Darnell Fisher, who has deputised at right back for Adam Matthews and Mikael Lustig. He’s come in, done the job and now has left everyone in no doubt that he can handle the top level domestically.<\/p>\n
What about the others in that team who dominated the nations youth leagues ?<\/p>\n
The kids who played Galatasaray showed they wouldn’t be fazed by a shot at \u00a0the first team, and while we are all anxious to see a big name signing this month, would it really be so bad if we decided to promote from within ?<\/p>\n
That includes Pukki and Balde, as well as the likes of Henderson and the others who have not gone out on loan. Freshening things up and creating competition for places -real competition , that is where if you don’t play to a certain standard you are out, – does not always have to involve spending money just for the sake of it.<\/p>\n
In fact, we hear Lennon has already mentioned this to Lawwell;<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Actually, you could argue that Scottish football has suffered because of the previous policy of bringing in foreign players and spending money abroad, and its only now that kids are not only getting a chance , but not running off down south into obscurity at the first available opportunity.<\/p>\n
Anyway, Virgil van Dijk, the biggest on field success this season, has spoken of his partnership with former bomb scare Efe Ambrose, and how much fun he is having at Celtic;<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve not experienced bonding with a partner this quickly in my career before.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first game I played for Celtic was with Steven Mouyokolo but after that everything went well with Efe. He\u2019s a friend of mine now, on the pitch and off it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all good. If you have a good bond with each other away from football it helps when you\u2019re playing. I think you can see that.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd we\u2019re proud of the clean sheets \u2013 but the thing making me most proud is still being unbeaten in the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve never experienced this before. It\u2019s new for me but I\u2019m enjoying it.\u201d<\/p>\n
You can’t beat a relationship where clean sheets are the norm.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Theres been a bit of bad weather of late, and that might make the game even more interesting, but the signs for today are fairly good by Scottish winter standards;<\/p>\n
Bright start in east but rain soon spreading to all parts from west, snow over hills and perhaps a little wet snow for highest roads. Strong to gale southerly winds. Turning showery, less windy later.<\/li>\n
Do we have a prediction for today ?<\/p>\n
A narrow Celtic win would seem the best bet, but combined with the weather, the expected Hibs approach and the pressure of remaining unbeaten means that nothing is certain, and it should make for a cracking game.<\/p>\n
It was Mike Conroy in the picture yesterday, the hero of the 1-0 cup final win against the now defunct Rangers. Conroy was thrown in at centre half, and against all odds-if you believed the pre match papers-turned in a man of the match performance against the then less fat Derek Johnstone, who was the best striker ever to play in the country, and was cruelly overlooked by the big European sides at the time.<\/p>\n
Well, you had to look over him, because you certainly couldn’t see round him.<\/p>\n
With hair like this, heres someone you’d have to do the opposite with. Who is he, and what does he do for a living these days ?<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.killiefc.com\/Seventies%20Images\/72%20Provan.jpg\")
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