Commons sets Celtic ambitious target

22 November 2013 01:31

Kris Commons has set his Celtic team-mates the ambitious target of winning all their remaining fixtures in the Scottish Premiership this season.

The Hoops are five points clear of Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the top of the table after making a flying start to the defence of their title.

Neil Lennon's side are unbeaten in their opening 12 matches, with the Glasgow giants' only dropped points coming in draws with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hibernian and Dundee United.

Commons is proud of his side's record this season, but as the Parkhead club prepare to host Aberdeen on Saturday the midfielder says the team are only doing what is expected of them.

"It's good but in saying that, home or away, we look to win every game," Commons said.

"I know we've not got maximum points from our games but that's what we'll be looking to do for the rest of the season. When you're on a run like we are on just now it's always nice to keep the momentum going."

Aberdeen are next to visit Celtic Park with the high-flying Dons sitting seven points behind the Hoops in third place.

Derek McInnes' side have won four out of their past five fixtures but have failed to pick up a single point at Parkhead in their previous 16 visits.

However, Commons has been impressed with the Dons this season and, after a narrow win at Pittodrie earlier in the campaign, is expecting another tough encounter.

"Aberdeen are a good side and we found it difficult at their place at the start of the season," he recalled.

"We came away with a hard-fought win, but they are well organised with a strong fan base so they are a tough team to play against.

"It's all set up for them to do well but it's one thing to do it once every two or three weeks and another doing it week-in, week-out, and that's what you need to do to be the champions.

"That's where we gain the advantage because we're more than capable of doing it every week.

"My memories of playing against Aberdeen are very black and white, there's never anything in between. We either win comfortably or scrape a win so it's always a nice game to play in.

"You know you're going to get a good game but if we turn up and play to our strengths, we are more than capable of putting in a few goals."

Elsewhere on Saturday, second-placed Inverness, who are still without a manger following the departure of Terry Butcher, host St Johnstone at the Caledonian Stadium.

Butcher's managerial bow for Hibernian will be from the stand at St Mirren Park, as he serves a touchline ban. The former England captain will take charge against St Mirren as Hibs look to end a run of four straight defeats.

Dundee United will want to build on their impressive 4-0 win over Motherwell in their last outing when they host Partick Thistle at Tannadice while Kilmarnock welcome Motherwell to Rugby Park.

Bottom side Hearts, whose future is still in the balance following the delay of a key creditors' meeting to discuss a company voluntary agreement that would allow them to exit administration, take on Ross County at Tynecastle.

Fixtures (kick-offs 1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

St Mirren v Hibernian (1245 GMT), Celtic v Aberdeen, Dundee Utd v Partick Thistle, Hearts v Ross County, Inverness CT v St Johnstone, Kilmarnock v Motherwell

Source: AFP