Celtic take on Kilmarnock this weekend knowing that a victory will move them three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Despite Rangers’ win over Ross County on Wednesday, Brendan Rodgers’ side remained at the summit by virtue of having scored four more goals than their Glasgow rivals.
Nevertheless, looking forward on a game-by-game basis is the only option, with just 13 fixtures left to determine who is crowned champions.
Taking care of Kilmarnock will be no easy endeavour for Celtic, given that Derek McInnes has already bested Rodgers on two occasions this term, both of which coming at Rugby Park.
The Ayrshire outfit were beaten 3-1 in the reverse fixture at Parkhead back in October, though come into this one unbeaten in their last five across all competitions.
Playing first comes with its advantages for the Hoops, who have an opportunity to pile pressure on Philippe Clement’s outfit ahead of their trip to St Johnstone the following day.
Derek McInnes adopts unusual approach ahead of Celtic visit
McInnes has faced Celtic many times over the years, and, unfortunately for him, the statistics don’t make for great reading.
As per Transfermarkt, the 52-year-old has come up against the Bhoys on 51 occasions as a manager, winning eight times, drawing twice and losing in 41 of his attempts to claim victory.
There are obvious mitigating circumstances involved, not least the fact he has come up against some of the finest Celtic teams in recent memory, though that is a conversation for another day.
Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to Parkhead, McInnes has revealed an unusual message he has put across to his players as they try to ‘upset the odds’ on Saturday, stating: [STV News]: “We work with a team through the week to try and tactically give ourselves the best chance.
“Every manager of clubs like ourselves, when you go to a place like Celtic Park, you’ve got to try and get that balance between attacking and defending and give the confidence that we’re not just there to turn up and shake hands on a one nil defeat and get back down the road.
He later added an interesting quirk, stating: “I think my job a lot of the time when you go to Celtic Park is to be the best salesman I can be with my players. It’s to try and sell it to them that we can do this and to have that belief.”
Celtic have all the incentives they need to defeat Kilmarnock
Managers have different ways to motivate their squad ahead of important matches, and McInnes hasn’t done too badly at that, seeing his side are fourth in the Scottish Premiership.
From the Bhoys’ point of view, they will have all the incentives they need to get the job done amid the chance to put themselves in the driving seat.
There is also the opportunity to pour cold water over the narrative that momentum has swung elsewhere in the title race if Rodgers’ men extend their own unbeaten run.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
