Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Erik: Belief is carrying Celts
C E LTI C d e fe n d e r E r i k Sviatchenko feels faith in their system and ability is helping them dominate the Scottish football season.
The Betfred Cup winners face Partick Thistle at Firhill tonight looking to continue their unbeaten domestic record and make it 40 points from 14 Ladbrokes Premiership matches.
The champions stared defeat in the face at Motherwell last week when they trailed 2-0 at half-time but they twice came from behind before winning 4-3 in the last minute thanks to an excellent strike from Tom Rogic.
And Sviatchenko admits he has a composure on the park which stems from confidence in each others’ ability.
The Dane said: “When you are difficult to beat, then you have this belief. You go out unconsciously thinking that, no matter what, we will be able to create chances.
“Every player up front has shown the capability to score goals.
“It’s not a feeling of being invincible, it’s more a belief in the power and concept of how we play, that it just feels natural that we are going to win games, but with a respect for the opponent.”
Celtic have had little time to recover from their final Champions League game of the season, a 1-1 draw at Manchester City on Tuesday when winger James Forrest went off with a hamstring problem.
Manager Brendan Rodgers is still missing the injured Scott Sinclair but he is confident his players will be ready for action.
“We know we are in a real testing period but the players are fit, strong, very focused, their mental fitness is good, and we know what we want t o a c h i e v e ,” Rodgers said.
“And you know if you want to be successful you will play 50-60 games a season. So we are prepared for that.”