TALKING CELTIC

THERE was champagne when Celtic equalled the Lisbon Lions’ sequence of results earlier this year, but this afternoon i n Perth gives Brendan Rodgers’ side the chance to hammer another record into their current catalogue of achievements.

The Parkhead side will eclipse a century old record, a record set by Willie Maley’s 1917 side, should Celtic avoid defeat to St Johnstone in the lunchtime kick-off.

Celtic assistant Chris Davies has revealed that he was aware that the current Hoops could topple the long-standing record with the way they were playing – however he has insisted that it won’t feature as part of the motivational talk ahead of this afternoon’s game against Tommy Wright’s side.

“It would be us stepping past the previous one that we’re now joint with,” he said.

“To be honest, we won’t talk about it before the game. We haven’t spoken about it at all.

“I was aware of it when we equalled the Lisbon Lions one in February. Around 40 odd, I was thinking ‘why is no one talking about this?’.

“We were still totting them up. It was good that it was a silent thing but I was aware that it kept on progressing. But because we don’t talk about it, it’s hopefully just going to be a consequence of how we prepare.

“I think everyone was privately aware it w a s happening.

“But we don’t talk about that. We’ve had other objectives to be honest in terms of getting to the League Cup Final, making sure we’re top of the league and dominating. Europe’s different. “It won’t be something that’s our single motivation for this game. What’s got us to this point is ‘win the next game – focus on that’. And giving everything and doing your best. Hopefully that’s the consequence. That will be our mentality.” And while there is a very different game expected against St Johnstone this afternoon to the one that Celtic were in against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

HOWEVER, while this is one where Celtic are expected to dominate, particularly in terms of possession, Davies has insisted that the approach of the club does not differ.

“We’re going to a team which has been in the top six for a few years and are still in the top six now and it’s away from home,” he cautioned.

“It’s always going to be a difficult game. We’ve got to make sure we stay at the top of the league. That’s our motivation, to make sure we stay on top. A lot of it is similar principles. One thing we weren’t doing against Bayern was low press and t hat was a tactical decision.

“We could have sat in and just counter-attacked. But we actually looked to build the game and in the right moment, move up.

“All our principles of our play was there. We will need to find a solution on Saturday because maybe our opponent will not be as dominant on the ball as Bayern were.”

Erik Sviatchenko has returned to light training but is expected to require a bit of