23.08.2013 02:40 h

Football: Celtic look to shrug off Euro hangover

Duell in der Höhe
Duell in der Höhe

Celtic will have to put their European disappointment behind them as they get back to business in the Scottish Premiership with a tough match against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday.

The Hoops saw their hopes of reaching the group stages of the Champions League suffer a blow on Tuesday when they were defeated 2-0 by minnows Shakhter Karagandy in Kazakhstan.

Neil Lennon's side will have a chance to put this right when the Kazakhstan side visit Glasgow next Wednesday and defender Charlie Mulgrew is confident the Celtic squad is strong enough to turn the tie around.

"We have a lot of belief in each other, we have a big squad and enough players to deal with the challenge," Mulgrew said.

"We knew this tie was over two legs and we are looking to next week to turn it around.

"The crowd will get right behind us and we will really need to go for them."

However, first up for Celtic is an Inverness side that are flying high at the top of the table.

Terry Butcher's team have won their opening three fixtures without conceding a goal but their trip to Glasgow will present them with their sternest test yet.

Such are the stakes for the second leg against Shakhter that Celtic boss Lennon faces tough selection choices against the Highlanders.

And with a host of Celtic first team players potentially being rested for the encounter Inverness midfielder Richie Foran is confident his side can spring a surprise in Glasgow.

"You never know what can happen in these matches. It is 11 men against 11. Celtic are going to win the league because they have some great players,"said Foran, who captained Inverness to their first ever league win at Celtic Park last November.

"You're looking for them to have an off day against us and for us to be right on top form. We did it last year and, as a player, it was probably the best result of my career.

"We played well and deserved the victory. We enjoyed it but that was last year and we're living in the now. Who knows what can happen?

"But we will be going there full of confidence, that's for sure. We don't fear anyone we play."

Elsewhere, second place St Johnstone will want to continue their unbeaten start when they travel to Tannadice to take on Dundee United, who are still waiting on their first win.

Hearts will attempt to eat further into their 11-point deficit at the bottom of the table when they host Aberdeen at Tynecastle, promoted Partick Thistle will aim to build on their good start when they take on Motherwell at Fir Park while under-fire Hibernian boss Pat Fenlon takes his side to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock.

Also on Saturday, pointless Ross County host St Mirren at Victoria Park.

After finishing fifth in their debut season in Scotland's top division hopes were high in Dingwall of another repeat this season but Derek Adams' side have lost their opening fixtures.