HAMILTON Accies are hatching a plan to be the first domestic side to defeat Celtic since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers. But that doesn’t mean manager Martin Canning doesn’t think it is entirely possible for the Parkhead side to complete a second invincible Scottish season in succession.
“Based on last season it is feasible, yes,” said Canning. “I don’t think they’re getting weaker, they’re becoming stronger. If they can do it last year I don’t see why they can’t go ahead and do it again this year. I’m pretty sure that’ll be their intention.
“But that’s why it’s up to the likes of us and the rest of Scottish football to get that result.”
While Rodgers is sure to have at least one eye on the home Champions League opener against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, Canning reckons Celtic’s “second or third” team could compete in the Ladbrokes Premiership. “Yes they’ll be forward planning for the European game but they’ll know the importance of being focused and they won’t take their eye off the ball,” said Canning. “They’re too professional for that.”
As imperious as Celtic have been recently, Ali Crawford, Dougie Imrie and Danny Redmond all played as the Accies ended a 76-year jinx in 2014.
“The boys know we can do it,” he said. “Every team that’s played Celtic in the last 50-odd games has been thinking, ‘are we the team that’s going to be the one that ends their run?’
“We’ll be thinking the same thing.”
Meanwhile, new signing Botti Biabi believes a debut against Celtic tonight would offer him the perfect platform to showcase his talents.
The 21-year-old striker joined Accies on a four-month loan deal from Swansea looking for game time and is now hoping to shine.
He said: “I learned a lot at Swansea, training and being around Premier League players, it was good.
“But I am here now, it is a good platform to show everyone what I’m really about so I can’t wait.”
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