If Celtic beat Hearts tonight it’s hard to look beyond beyond Anthony Stokes and Gary Hooper for the goal/goals.
With twelve goals each this season the new bhoys have adapted quickly to the club and have scored Celtic’s last four goals.
Hooper opened the scoring at Hibs and was followed by a double from Stokes who also settled the points in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Aberdeen.
Bet365 are offering 15/ 4 for both players to score the first goal tonight with the same odds available for the last goal.
It’s not quite a get rich quick scheme but betting on Stokes and Hooper for the first goal every week looks like providing a nice return- on top of the joy of watching them contribute to Celtic’s title bid.
Hearts win over Rangers on Saturday has given the Edinburgh side’s title bid some credibility but a defeat tonight would leave them trailing Celtic by ten points.
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Alan Thompson knows better than most how the title race can fluctuate with the Celtic assistant full of respect for Jim Jefferies side.
“I wouldn’t think it would kill them off if we won the game,” Thompson admitted. “Ten points is massive but the run they are on is championship form.
“If they continue that until the end of the season then they will be there or thereabouts.
“I believe it’s a good thing we have a third team challenging for the title. We are looking over to see how Rangers are getting on, and looking over to see how Hearts are getting on.
“That can only be healthy. When I was a player here it was between the two teams but it is good if Hearts can sustain their challenge, fair play to them.
“Celtic and Rangers have both been there, whether or not Hearts can sustain it is another matter but that won’t have any bearing on tonight’s game which will be tough.”
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Celtic’s major selection problem will be in central defence where Daniel Majstorovic is out for three weeks with a hamstring strain.
Jos Hooiveld joined FC Copenhagen on loan last week with Darren O’Dea and Josh Thompson already out on loan.
Nottingham Forest defender Kelvin Wilson has signed a pre-contract agreement to move to Celtic in the summer but Celtic won’t meet the £600,000 asking price that manager Billy Davies wants to complete the deal just now.
Charlie Mulgrew stepped in for Majstorovic in the 1-0 win over Aberdeen on Saturday and is likely to be asked to play alongside Thomas Rogne again tonight.
The 20-year-old Norwegian is playing a crucial part in Celtic’s title bid and is ready to up his game in the absence of Majstorovic.
Rogne said: “Daniel will be a big loss as he has done well but we have players ready to step in and do an equally good job. I’m ready to take Daniel’s place as the leader if I play.
“I will do my best, being vocal is something I can work on although Daniel is a good example for me to learn from.
“On and off the pitch I’m a totally different person. Off the pitch I’m a quiet guy, but you can’t be quiet if you are a central defender on the park.”
Stokes gets international call-up
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