Celtic V Hibernian at Celtic Park : Match Preview

Future's bright for Watt Tony Watt is in line to complete a remarkable three-year journey from Coatbridge to Catalonia with Celtic after forcing his way into Neil Lennon's squad this season. The 18-year-old striker phoned for a trial with Airdrie United shortly before his 16th birthday and signed for the Lanarkshire side from where he moved to Parkhead in January last year, for a reported fee of #100,000. Watt has emerged in recent weeks as a genuine striking option for the Hoops as they survey their upcoming Champions League group G campaign against Barcelona, Benfica and Spartak Moscow. The Coatbridge boy scored a brace in his first start for Celtic in their 4-2 win at Inverness last week and ahead of the visit of Hibernian in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, he discussed his meteoric, if unconventional, rise which leaves him dreaming of facing some of the world's best players from the Nou Camp. "It's unbelievable," he said. "Players like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, you wouldn't write it, would you? "To even get five minutes against teams like that (Barcelona), I would be shocked but obviously I wouldn't let it get to me. "I wasn't picked up at all, I had to phone for a trial. If it didn't happen for me who knows where I would be? I would probably still be playing boys' club football just now. "That was the only option I had, I didn't have any other offers. "I was 15 and one of my friends from school told me to phone up for a trial. "The Airdrie manager saw me and signed me and it went from there. I played for their under-17s for a year and had six months with the first team, then came here. "It is a good example for young boys who are good at football who haven't had a chance, to hope and have belief and not give up." Hibernian defender Tim Clancy knows he and his team-mates owe their supporters a performance at Celtic Park following their cup exit against Queen of the South. Hibs were beaten 2-0 in Dumfries in the second round of the Scottish Communities League Cup and were outplayed by their Irn-Bru Second Division opponents. Manager Pat Fenlon will restore captain James McPake to the team that faces the Clydesdale Bank Premier League champions after making four changes for the cup tie, and the players know a response is needed. Clancy told Hibernian TV: "We have got to bounce back from Tuesday. It was a terrible performance. "There is not much we can do about it now but we have to learn from it. "It's hard to put your finger on it. I don't think anyone performed. "If one or two people have an off day, other players can pull them out of it, but you can't have so many not performing. "It was a wake-up call that you can't go into any game below 100 per cent."

Celtic V Hibernian - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game live.

Source: PA

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