Celtic v Partick Thistle preview: Hoops looking to get back to winning ways after Hearts loss
Tuesday 19 December 2017 17:44, UK
Celtic will be keen to return to winning ways against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday after their unbeaten run came to an end.
The Hoops went into Sunday's game against Hearts on a 69-game unbeaten domestic streak, but fell to a 4-0 defeat that saw their record-breaking run come to a juddering halt.
They will now look to start a fresh run against the Jags at Celtic Park, with assistant manager Chris Davies saying that one defeat does not put a dampener on a successful season so far for the club.
"We've lost one domestic game in 70. We've had a very good season so far, reaching all our objectives. We've stayed top, secured European football after Christmas and won a trophy," he said.
"Our mentality means we don't need a loss to make us react. We want to be at our very best every game. We'll give everything we can and hopefully our reaction will be reflected in the score-line.
"We now look to start a new winning run from Wednesday night. Our focus is always the next game and the consequence of that mantra has been records broken."
Thistle boss Alan Archibald admits lightning will have to strike twice if his side are to repeat Hearts' shock win over Celtic, and has warned them they may be in for a tough night.
"It could be the wrong time to face them," he said. "Everyone is aware there's normally a backlash after a disappointing result. It gives you hope the way that Hearts played against them and the amount of opportunities they created.
"But we're well aware that any time Celtic have had a bad result, like the ones in Europe this season, they have bounced back in the following game."
Team news
Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic is a doubt after the centre-back picked up a knock on Sunday.
Tom Rogic is definitely out until the new year with a knee problem, while loan winger Patrick Roberts has returned to Manchester City for treatment on a hamstring injury.
Partick Thistle have no fresh injuries to worry about, with the only absentees long-term casualties Stuart Bannigan, Callum Booth, Mustapha Dumbuya (all knee), Christie Elliott (ankle) and Abdul Osman (shoulder).
Skipper Osman has been given the all clear to resume full training on Thursday, although he may need a couple more weeks to build up his match sharpness before making his first-team return.
Opta stats
Partick Thistle ended a run of 17 successive Scottish Premiership losses against Celtic in their last visit to Celtic Park, drawing 1-1 in April 2017.
In fact, that draw was the only time in their last 20 league games against the Hoops that they have picked up at least a point (L19).
Celtic's 56-game unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership came to an abrupt end after losing 4-0 against Hearts - not since March 2013 have they lost two successive league games.
The current Premiership champions have not dropped points in consecutive league games since two draws in March 2016.
The Jags are still looking for their first away victory in the league since March, drawing six and losing eight since.
Partick have only kept one clean sheet in that time, a 0-0 with Hamilton in October.
