Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Rodgers no problem with familiar Thistle
BRENDAN Rodgers has no qualms about Celtic facing Partick Thistle twice in 11 days.
The champions beat the Jags 4-1 at Firhill over a week ago before home wins over Hamilton and Dundee took them back 11 points clear of Rangers at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
The Northern Irish boss, who will involve some of his U/20 squad against Partick Thistle as he tries to manage a nine-game December schedule, insists there is no problem playing Alan Archibald’s men so soon again, in a rearranged fixture at Celtic Park tonight.
Rodgers said: “It is good because you are trying to anticipate what they are going to do.
“They played with a back five before and Alan might have looked at the last two games here and thought ‘Will we play with a five and frustrate or do we go with 4-5-1?’ or whatever.
“But it is fine, it is the game and we will be ready.”
Celtic are unbeaten in 20 domestic matches and already have the Betfred Cup in the trophy cabinet after their Hampden final win over Aberdeen last month.
Defender Erik Sviatchenko believes if the Hoops play to their best, then the opposition should make little difference.
The Denmark international said: “In the main we think about our team and, with the quality we have, that should be enough when we are at our best level.”
Meanwhile, Christie Elliott admits it would be “brilliant” if Partick Thistle ended the Hoops’ unbeaten domestic record tonight.
The 25-year-old striker, buoyed by the 1-1 draw at Hearts on Saturday, hopes bottom side Thistle can bring that run to an end at Parkhead.
“They will obviously keep trying to build the record they’ve 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.”