Brittain: Celtic are world class
Skipper Richard Brittain believes Ross County will come up against a "world-class" Celtic side in Saturday's Premiership clash in Dingwall.
The midfielder's assertion will raise eyebrows even among the Hoops support, who booed their team off following the 1-0 defeat by Hamilton before the international break which kept the champions in sixth place with 10 points lost from eight games this season.
The first home defeat to the Lanarkshire side in 76 years heaped more pressure on manager Ronny Deila, who has struggled to win over the fans since Celtic were effectively knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers twice earlier in the campaign.
The Norwegian has Charlie Mulgrew, Adam Matthews and Mikael Lustig back in the squad after injury while James Forrest is back training after a lengthy spell out with a hamstring complaint.
What changes Deila makes to his line-up remains to be seen, but Brittain is in no doubt as to the magnitude of the task facing the Staggies.
He said: "It is going to be a difficult game, regardless of what team plays.
"Celtic are a world-class side. They have world-class players throughout their squad and, like I said, it is going to be a difficult game for us.
"But if we work hard and do the basics right, hopefully we can get some chances in the game and put the ball in the back of the net."
Left-back Jamie Reckord and midfielders Terry Dunfield and Martin Woods all joined County during the international break as new manager Jim McIntyre looks to build on recent improvement, having beaten Dundee and drawn with Highland rivals Inverness before the international break.
And while County remain bottom of the table, three points behind Motherwell and St Mirren, Brittain, who faces up to four weeks out when he has foot surgery although he will be available for the visit of Celtic, is looking to build on those results.
He said: "That's what we wanted to do, we wanted to start putting points on the board and hopefully we can take the form from the last two games into Saturday's game."
Former Celtic boss John Barnes believes Ronny Deila would be under even greater pressure if crisis-hit Rangers were still at the height of their powers.
The former Liverpool and England winger won 12 of his first 13 games as Hoops boss after being appointed as part of a "Dream Team" pairing with Kenny Dalglish in the summer of 1999.
But he saw his reign crumble after striker Henrik Larsson suffered a horrific leg-break in a UEFA Cup tie with Lyon.
The French giants ended Celtic's European hopes before defeats to Motherwell (twice), Rangers and Hearts left them 10 points behind Dick Advocaat's expensively-assembled side.
The axe was finally swung after Barnes oversaw the infamous Scottish Cup defeat to Inverness at Parkhead in February 2000.
Deila has endured his own struggles after watching his team spill 10 points in their opening eight Scottish Premiership matches as well as twice blowing chances to qualify for the Champions League.
Barnes is confident the former Stromsgodset boss can turn things around but admits the Norwegian is lucky the Ibrox club - now playing in the Championship following their liquidation saga - are not around to challenge.
Asked if he had any advice for Deila, Barnes told Press Association Sport: "Win football matches. That's the only thing you can do.
"You have got to have the character to win matches, but if you lose matches then of course you are going to be under pressure.
"I know myself because of the first 13 matches I had in charge up there, we won 12, but I was still under pressure. That was because Rangers were winning too.
"Obviously this season with Rangers not being there, you would expect Celtic to be right up there at the top but they are not.
"However, they have not even played 10 games yet. Yeah it's disappointing they are not in the Champions League but Celtic will still win the league and win it comfortably, even considering the start they have had.
"Maybe things are going to be harder but I would still be very surprised if they don't win the league, so I would urge the people up there to support Ronny.
"If he gets time, I'm sure he will do a good job. You are always going to be under pressure when you are manager of Celtic, particularly if you haven't had the start that you would want.
"But I know he has got a good record and from what I hear he is a good coach.
"If he is given time I'm sure he will be successful, but obviously right now that start he has had is not the one he'd have wanted."
Source: PA
