Ambrose never underestimates former employers
EFE AMBROSE, the Livingston defender, is adamant there is no such thing as a ‘weak’ Celtic side and has warned that the depleted Parkhead side will treat today’s Premiership clash like a ‘cup final’.
The Nigeria international is no stranger to the pressures and demands placed upon players at Celtic, having spent five years at the club from 2012, winning six major honours and featuring in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Yet even the 32-year-old never experienced anything like the crisis which has engulfed his old club this week, with 13 first-team regulars set to miss out due to their ongoing isolation.
Nevertheless, Livingston manager David Martindale this week posited that Celtic’s side would still fetch around £60million, and Ambrose is equally dismissive of the notion that they are in a ‘vulnerable’ state.
“We know that game is going to be massive for us. Celtic are Celtic, no matter what is going on,” said Ambrose. “No matter who is putting on the green and white, there is no weak Celtic.
“I can say that because I have been there and I know that every player merits being there. People will come in and show what they can do.
“You saw what happened in Monday’s game against Hibs, they are not vulnerable.
“They have the depth in the squad and everyone is up to it. They know what is going on around them and the title is at stake, so every game they play now is like a cup final to them.
“So we are not going to look at them as ‘weak’ Celtic, we are going to look at them as if we are playing their first 11, because that is the mentality.”
Nevertheless, Livingston have little reason to fear their trip west. That would be the case even if Celtic had their strongest XI to call upon.
The West Lothian side have racked up a run of eight wins in a row, are in the Betfred Cup semi-final and Martindale yesterday received manager of the month for December.
Indeed, the only disappointment they have endured in the last two months has been the repeated postponement of their Premiership match against Aberdeen, with that fixture falling foul of the weather for a second time on Wednesday.
“The most important thing is the winning mentality and the togetherness in this squad,” lauded Ambrose. “The pace, the work, the love the gaffer has put into the team is massive for us right now.
“Above that, we are more united and more together and I think we work as a team and as a unit.
“He has put so much into the squad right now that you can see, the players are showing it on the pitch.
“We now want to finish in the top six, which is paramount for us, and do better than last season. The gaffer has put that in our mindset and for every player to get the best out of this season.
“What is in our mind is to go to Celtic, keep the momentum going and play a good game.”
While full of praise for his current manager, Ambrose felt no need to offer his support to his former boss Neil Lennon, insisting he is more than capable of dealing with whatever is thrown at him, on and off the pitch.
Lennon, who will also be absent at Parkhead today, showed faith in Ambrose during his first stint in the dugout at Celtic, before signing him for Hibs.
And Ambrose added: “He knows everything better than I do, he is a manager and has been there and done that – so there is nothing I can feel sorry about for him!
“He understands it than I do.” better