Ledley targets top spot for 2012

28 December 2011 08:16

Joe Ledley always believed that Celtic would peg back Rangers' lead in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League title race ahead of tonight's Old Firm clash at Parkhead.

Celtic's 2-1 victory over Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Saturday, coupled with Rangers' defeat at St Mirren, took the Hoops to within one point of the leaders, despite trailing them by 15 points in November. Parkhead midfielder Ledley is hoping to complete the turnaround with victory tonight, which would see Celtic top of the table going into 2012.

He said: "We always believed. We knew we weren't playing as well as we could but now we are playing some good, attacking stuff. We have stuck at it this season and now it would be a great achievement for the management, the players and the fans to be top of the league going into the new year."

Despite the pendulum swinging firmly towards the Hoops in recent weeks, Ledley claims Celtic are the underdogs tonight.

Asked if the upturn in the Parkhead side's form and the stuttering of Rangers made them favourites - which they are in the eyes of the bookmakers - the former Cardiff player said: "No. Obviously we are second, we are underdogs. They are top of the league by one point.

"We are at home which is a bit of an advantage but it doesn't matter if we are favourites or underdogs, we just want to go out there and play our game and hopefully win.

"But they are still a good team. They will be disappointed from their last game so they are going to be up for it and they will make it difficult for us.

"But we are on a good run and we want it to continue."

Source: PA