Celtic v St Mirren preview

Lennon: Authority

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Teams

• Celtic
• St Mirren

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• Celtic fixtures
• SPL table
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Celtic go into their second game of the campaign looking to assert their authority on the SPL table with a win over St Mirren.

The Bhoys began with three points over newly-promoted Inverness last week but only managed a 1-0 win thanks to Paddy McCourt's superb individual goal.

And the result means Neil Lennon's team sit behind Rangers, Hibernian and league-leaders Aberdeen.

A home fixture provides Lennon's new-look squad with the chance to impress the Parkhead crowd and start building toward their title push by maintaining a 100% record.

St Mirren, meanwhile, earned an opening day point in their 1-1 draw against Dundee United.

New manager Danny Lennon was on course for a win in his first league game in charge when Sean Lynch struck in the second period.

But a late lapse in concentration allowed United a 89th minute equaliser and the Buddies will be acutely aware they can ill-afford such lapses against Celtic.

Celtic were in action on Thursday in the Europa League - recording a 2-0 win over FC Utrecht - and St Mirren will look to make the most of any potential tiredness in the giants' legs.

Celtic news

Celtic could be without Cha Du-Ri, who has a hamstring problem and will require a late fitness test.

There will be no debut for new signing Emilio Izaguirre, who has returned to his native Honduras to complete the paperwork of his move.

Andreas Hinkel will miss the next nine months after sustaining cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in training.

St Mirren news

St Mirren have several players unavailable ahead of their visit to Glasgow.

Paul McGowan is ineligible under the terms of his loan agreement, while Michael Higdon is suspended.

Paul McQuade and Steven Thomson join David Barron on the sidelines, but Craig Dargo returns after recovering from a minor strain.