Now that Celtic’s impressive midweek Champions League win is firmly in the bank, attention is now fully focused on this afternoon’s League Cup tie with Falkirk.
John McGlynn’s side travel to Celtic Park for the quarter-final cup clash hoping that they can take their impressive Championship league form and give Brendan Rodgers’ team a tough afternoon.
Falkirk currently has a 100% win rate in the second tier and sits second to Scott Brown’s Ayr United who have played one game more.
With 11 goals scored, Falkirk’s impressive start to the season since their promotion has them buzzing and defender, Coll Donaldson, looking forward to the League Cup visit to Celtic Park.
Strength of Celtic on Falkirk’s minds
Falkirk have been receiving plaudits for their results since coming up from League One as invincible champions but Donaldson believes that the strength of Celtic’s bench is something his team will need to be wary of.
Donaldson told The Falkirk Herald, “That’s what we spoke about [about sticking to Falkirk’s style of football].
“We’ve not done it yet. It’s easy to sit here and say we’re going there and we’ll pass the ball about.
“We need big characters, big personalities. You want people to be able to take the ball and look after the ball.
“So, yes, it’s more exciting. I’ve been in teams that you go there and it’s like you sit on the edge of your box and it might be nil-nil after 60 minutes, but you’re absolutely knackered and it feels like it’s just a matter of time.
“They bring on subs, fresh legs, and they’re not bringing on Tom, Dick and Harry. It’s internationalists that are coming off the bench.
“We’re really looking forward to it. I think our league position has allowed us to enjoy it even more than what you would.”
Donaldson confident of making it ‘awkward’ for Celtic
The Falkirk defender is clearly aware of the task facing his team but Donaldson believes that if they can stick to what they believe in then Falkirk can make life tough for Celtic this afternoon.
Donaldson continued, “Because if you’re struggling in the league and then even though you’re playing Celtic, you get beat again and it’s just defeats on top of defeats.
“But I have full confidence in the boys in there, even the boys that haven’t played there, I think we’ve shown on many occasions that we’ve got good, good characters in there.
“And we’re not going to be defined by how a League Cup game goes at Celtic.
“So as long as we can stick to our principles and stick together, I think we can try and make it an awkward afternoon.”
Donaldson has faced Celtic on a number of occasions whilst he was at Ross County a few seasons ago so knows what it’s like to play against the Scottish champions.
Indeed, Celtic have a number of players in their ranks who can give the Championship side a difficult day. But it needs to be said, so do Falkirk.
Dylan Tate is the man on form as the Falkirk midfielder has been one of their most dangerous players this season with two goals and two assists.
Celtic will also need to be wary of one of their former academy graduates, Calvin Miller, who is averaging 3.3 shots on goal with 1.5 of them hitting the target every 90 minutes. [Fotmob]
And, of course, their goalkeeper Nciky Hogarth is also enjoying some great form with only four goals conceded, two clean sheets and saves 76.5% of shots with an average of 2.6 efforts saved per game.
Although they will be confident of securing a result, Celtic will still need to be wary of the threats Falkirk have tp secure their place in the semi-final of the competition.
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