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Commons: We must always be at our best Celtic winger Kris Commons has warned that having a strong squad and being title favourites will mean nothing if the players do not perform to their peak in every game. Shaun Maloney is set to return to a nearly-full squad following a four-month lay-off as Neil Lennon`s men look to extend their two-point lead over Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League when they host St Mirren on Saturday. Glenn Loovens is also fit despite coming off against Hibernian in midweek with a tight hamstring. The Hoops will still be without Daniel Majstorovic (toe) while Daryl Murphy (groin) is a doubt and Andreas Hinkel (knee) is not ready to return. Celtic are odds-on favourites to regain the SPL trophy with every leading bookmaker given the relative strengths of the Old Firm playing pools. Rangers did not have enough fit players to fill their bench for last weekend`s home defeat by Dundee United while the likes of Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn could not find a place among the substitutes as Celtic beat Hibs 3-1 on Wednesday. Celtic`s first-half display was among their most impressive of the season as they bounced back from their 2-1 defeat by Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final. And that loss showed Commons they need to work hard to meet high expectations. The Scotland winger said: "I think on our day we`re a good outfit but there have certainly been performances this year that have warranted the gaffer giving us a roasting, the Motherwell game comes to mind. "It`s important we keep our levels high and keep ticking over, especially at this stage of the season. "Our main goal is the league and a lot of players didn`t turn up at the cup final, so that kind of kicks you up the backside to get your mind in gear. "That`s the type of motivation we perhaps needed to seal the deal in the championship, that it`s not all going to be rosy. "We went into the cup final as favourites and came out pretty much battered and bruised and beaten." Commons made way for James Forrest in the starting line-up against Hibs after failing to match his impressive displays since moving from Derby in January against Rangers at Hampden. And he knows there are other players waiting to come in for anyone who fails to perform. "I was a little disappointed not to be involved but we have got a big squad, a good squad, and players are coming back from injury," Commons said. "With a lot of games coming up hopefully it was more of a resting rather than a performance thing." Assistant manager Johan Mjallby is optimistic that the improving condition of their squad can help them reach their peak in the run-in. "That`s the dream scenario and I hope so," the Swede said. "It`s a luxury that way, even if it`s a big player for us, if we see someone is tired and not really, really performing, we have a good chance to change things and you know you have a good player knocking on the door. "This competition is going to be good for us in the run-in because if you don`t perform, someone else is going to be knocking on the door." When asked if plans were being made to add to that competition for next season, Mjallby said, half-jokingly, "I don`t know, I don`t know if we will be here. "Of course, it`s important we bring in the right people because we probably don`t have the same money as we had when I was a player, so you need to be a bit more clever when it comes to new signings. "I think this is a very good squad but when you are in this job working in management you always want to get even better players coming in and you need to strengthen the squad, especially if you look towards Europe. "This is a very good crop of players but you always want more." When pressed on his comment, Mjallby admitted he did not expect talks over the contracts of himself and Lennon before the end of the season. "We are in the same situation we were in at the start of the season," he said. "Nothing has really changed. We are trying to win the league and right now we are in pole position. "I think it`s more important to focus on the team, the players and the game itself." St Mirren defender Lee Mair is in contention for the contest at Celtic Park. Mair had to pull out of the midweek win over Aberdeen moments before kick-off with a minor strain but has recovered. Paul McGowan will miss the game under the terms of his loan agreement.