The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Brechin won’t just look to defend in their cup clash against Celtic, says Dods
Brechin boss will encourage his team to test Celtic
A Brechin City win at Celtic Park this afternoon would make Inverness Caley Thistle’s famous Scottish Cup victory over John Barnes’ side look decidedly second-rate.
The odds are stacked in the Hoops’ favour, as the team which hasn’t won a league game all season travels to the home of the team who has only lost one domestic match in recent memory.
Darren Dods knows that a cup upset at Parkhead is a long, long shot. But that won’t stop Brechin from giving it their best attempt.
“We’re in no doubt about how difficult it will be,” he said.
“I don’t think that Celtic team which lost to Inverness were anywhere near as good as this one.
“It’s an almighty task we have but it is 11 against 11 and strange things do happen in football.”
Dods insisted that parking their bus on the 18-yard line for 90-odd minutes can’t be the game-plan.
“St Mirren gave Celtic a good game last season when they pressed them high up the pitch,” he recalled. “But that was full-time team against full-time team.
“We do have to try and get in their faces when we get the opportunity in good areas and drop off at other times.
“If you’re camped on the edge of your box for the whole game, Celtic have too much quality to not break you down.”
There are pluses and minuses for Brechin about the timing of the match.
Dods explained: “If it had been after the Rangers game that might have suited us because I think Brendan Rodgers admitted that his team were getting a bit tired.
“They’ll be fresh after their break in Dubai and because it’s their first game back he’ll probably play a strong team.
“Mind you, Brendan doesn’t really make as many changes as previous Celtic managers have and even if he does, it’s to bring in boys like Leigh Griffiths.
“Hopefully they might have come back from Dubai with the flu!”
Dods has a few players who have experience of playing at Celtic Park and he hopes others will be inspired rather than daunted by their surroundings.
“Guys like Finn Graham and Euan Spark are only 21,” he said. “It will be their first time at Parkhead but they’ve played really well lately and you’re hoping that they produce the display of their lives.
“It would be great to go a goal up and see what happens after that.
“Whatever the result is, we want to come away from Parkhead with confidence to put in a good run of matches in the league.”
Callum Tapping is cup-tied, Connor McLennan has returned to Aberdeen for Derek McInnes to take a look at him but was injured anyway, and Ryan McGeever is out for the season.
Rodgers will take nothing for granted in today’s tie
“I’m sure Brechin will provide a tough test for us,” he said. “OK they are bottom of the Championship with just four points but they’re certainly playing for their manager.
“We’ve never been lazy on any opponent, no matter who they are, and Brechin will get the same respect as every other team.”
Rodgers has kept his January recruitment to a minimum so far, with Marvin Compper the only new face to have joined his squad to date.
However, the German’s debut will have to wait after he picked up a calf strain during the club’s training camp.
That means 19-year-old Kristoffer Ajer could be thrust back into action for the fourth round clash, and possibly next month’s Europa League showdown with Zenit St Petersburg too.
But after his mature display against Rangers before the break Rodgers insists the youngster has his full faith.
The manager added: “He came here as an 18-year-old having played first team football in Norway but needed to get used to a more physical game.
“But I’ve been really impressed by him. At 19 he’s shown up very well any time he has played for us.”