It’s hard to remember that a month ago Kris Commons was a Derby County player entering the final months of his contract at Pride Park.
Four games into his Celtic career Commons has settled quickly and established himself as a first pick in Neil Lennon’s side.
After visiting Hampden, Pittodrie, Ibrox and Tannadice, with an international in Dublin thrown in for good measure, he will finally make his home debut on Sunday.
Recent form and Rangers Europa League ties with Sporting Lisbon make Celtic favourites for the match but with a title at stake there are no signs of complacency around Lennon’s squad.
“The management and coaching staff wouldn’t let that slip into our game,” Commons told Channel 67 last night. “When you are on a run you want to keep it going, the longer it goes the more hard work that you put in. We’re doing that.
“You could see against Dundee United when the score went to 2-1 there were a few edgy moments but we got a third goal and that shows the character that we have in the squad.
“At the moment we’re on a great run, the players are hungry and when you are on a long unbeaten run the last thing that you want to do is lose that.”
Commons ‘enjoyed’ a crash course in most things that a derby match can throw up when Celtic met Rangers earlier in the month at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup.
The despair of losing a third minute opener was matched by the joy of equalising before a red card for Fraser Forster saw Commons sacrificed with Lucasz Zaluska introduced.
That taster has whetted his appetite for more derby action with the fixture list throwing up three more clashes over the next four weeks.
“The noise level and intensity of the game at Ibrox was incredible,” Commons added. “Going a goal down early on put us on the back foot but the way that we responded was perfect. It was great to get the result that we deserved.
“We could have got a winner but it’s nice to get a chance to play against them again so it’s a game I’m thoroughly looking forward to.
“I was sacrificed in the game at Ibrox but it’s certainly given me a taste of what’s to come and I’m looking forward to the game against Rangers.
“I picked up early on that I was joining a good young footballing side, when you come into a side like that with a hunger to win it’s quite easy to settle.
“At 27 I’m no longer a young prospect, I’m one of the oldest in the squad but it’s good to be playing with young players that are hungry to be successful. I don’t feel that I’m one of the older players but if I can bring a bit of experience to the side that’s great.”
Sad Strachan defends Hugh Dallas
Joe Jordan v Rino Gatusso video
Follow Video Celts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube
[bet_365 type=’generic’ size=’468′ af_code=’365_050711′]
