Fir Park fright has Osman believing

PARTICK THISTLE have lost their last 16 matches against Celtic. In fact, the last time the team from Maryhill managed to take a point off their Glasgow neighbours was in November 2002. Yet despite Brendan Rodgers’ side being unbeaten domestically when they arrive at Firhill tonight, captain Abdul Osman insists his side can take inspiration from the Motherwell approach to facing the Scottish champions. Last weekend, Mark McGhee’s men came closer than any other Scottish side to beating Celtic this season, leading 2-0 then 3-2 before eventually succumbing 4-3. And as Thistle seek their first win against Celtic since May 1995, Osman believes they should copy the Fir Park blueprint if they are to wreck the Parkhead dreams of going a season unbeaten. ‘We can take hope from how Motherwell did last weekend,’ said the 29-year-old. ‘We saw the stuff that they did to put Celtic under pressure. Our manager, Alan Archibald, said that if we can do something similar, then we can cause Celtic problems. ‘Celtic have good players, so any changes they might make after playing in the Champions League (at Manchester City) in midweek won’t make much of a difference. They will still be a very good team. ‘They are entitled to believe (they can go a season unbeaten). They’ve done well and they have great belief in their team. If they feel they can do it, then that’s up to them. But we want to stop them. ‘Our record against Celtic is scary but if we play to the levels we did against Rangers recently, then hopefully our luck will change.’ If Celtic win their games in hand, they will be at least 17 points clear of second-placed Rangers. Thistle boss Archibald admits the domestic dominance of the Parkhead giant is a concern, but he hopes tonight can see him celebrate the rarest of victories. ‘We want to give our fans something to cheer,’ said Archibald. ‘Is Celtic’s dominance a worry for our game? I think so, but the difference in budgets is there for all to see. It makes it so tough. ‘But it’s down to the rest of us, collectively, to take points off them.’