Lee Clark hopes Kilmarnock can expose Celtic's title nerves
Lee Clark wants his Kilmarnock side to put Celtic's resolve to the test when they host the Ladbrokes Premiership leaders on Saturday.
The Hoops are fighting hard to retain their crown for the fifth year in succession but are being pushed all the way by Derek McInnes' Aberdeen.
But Clark believes for many of the Parkhead side's players, the pressures of a proper title fight will be a new experience.
And with Killie also desperate for points as they bid to escape the relegation play-off zone, the Rugby Park manager has urged his team to exploit any hesitation from Ronny Deila's side.
He said: "It's just a big a game for us as it is for Celtic - if not more so.
"It was the same last week against Aberdeen. There was pressure on them, but for different reasons.
"If you are playing for a club the size and stature of Celtic there will always be pressure, because they operate on a worldwide scale.
"But for the first time in a while, they have someone breathing right down their necks and slip-ups could be punished.
"So that means there is extra pressure on them and we need to be able to capitalise.
"Both teams are fighting for different things and it comes down to who handles the situation.
"They do have guys who have won the title before but, Scott Brown and Kris Commons aside, they don't have too many players who have had the experience of someone chasing them.
"So with Aberdeen being only a point behind, that is something they will now have to deal with."
Clark has no fresh injuries and captain Stevie Smith should again lead the side out despite playing with a hip complaint.
Defenders David Syme (fractured leg), Darryl Westlake (ankle) and Mark Connolly (hip) remain out alongside winger Chris Johnston (knee), while Jamie Hamill, Ross Barbour and Scott Robinson have been told they are no longer in Clark's plans.
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths, meanwhile, insists there are goals throughout his side - and he is not looking for extra congratulations for being the main supplier.
Griffiths has scored 35 goals in all competitions this season and no other Celtic player is in double figures.
The Scotland international has struck in seven of the last eight games he has played but his side drew 0-0 with Dundee when he failed to find the net.
Celtic's quest for the double appears to rely on keeping the former Hibernian man fit but Griffiths does not feel he is doing anything special.
"It's my job," the 25-year-old said. "Nobody congratulates the postman for putting a letter through the postbox.
"I come here, train every day and work hard and my main focus is scoring goals, and that's what I do on a Saturday.
"We've got goals all over the place, it's not just me. It seems to be me that's scoring but if you look all over the team we have players who can score goals.
"If I wasn't scoring, I'm sure other boys would chip in."
Winger Gary Mackay-Steven is expected to shake off an ankle problem despite missing training on Thursday.
Stefan Johansen returns from an ankle knock while Dedryck Boyata is back from a ban but centre-back Jozo Simunovic remains out with a knee injury.
Celtic go into the encounter at Kilmarnock one point ahead of Aberdeen, a situation which is intensifying the debate over manager Deila's performance.
Griffiths would rather be further ahead but he recognises the title race is good for the game.
"At Celtic you want to win the league by a canter," he said. "But it's good for the rest of the league and Scottish football that Aberdeen are right on our coat tails.
"It's a little bit different, especially to seasons before. Aberdeen pushed us a long way last season but the season before last the league was won by this time.
"It's good for the Scottish game that we are getting chased all the way but hopefully come the end of it we will be holding the trophy."
Source: PAR
