Scottish Premiership: McGhee’s Motherwell host champions Celtic
Lee Gormley | October 15, 2015
Motherwell v Celtic
Scottish Premiership
Saturday, October 17th
Kick-off: 12:00 BST
Fir Park, Motherwell
Live on BT Sport Europe
McGhee makes Motherwell return
Having been re-appointed as Motherwell boss earlier this week, Mark McGhee faces a baptism of fire in his first game back in charge, as the Steelmen prepare to host Scottish Premiership champions Celtic for a fixture they are without a win in from seven consecutive meetings.
Newly-appointed McGhee, a former Celtic player and current Scotland assistant coach, will look to change that record and reverse fortunes on his maiden league game since taking over again, and his hosts are 17/2 with Coral to cause an upset against Ronny Deila’s Hoops, who are odds-on 3/10 favourites.
Celtic in a title race
The Bhoys are currently sitting in second position in the top flight after their opening 10 Premiership matches, and are now just a single point adrift of leaders Aberdeen and possess a far superior goal difference.
Ahead of the encounter at Fir Park this weekend, Bhoys attacker Gary Mackay-Steven feels that the appointment of McGhee for his second spell at the club will be a massive boost to Celtic’s upcoming opponents this term and will give them a positive lift.
“There’s no question it’ll give Motherwell a lift and they’ll maybe give an extra five per cent to impress their new manager, but we’ll treat it as any other game,” the Scottish winger said.
Mackay-Steven: “We’ll do our homework”
Although, 25-year-old Mackay-Steven, who is 5/1 to open proceedings for the visitors, claimed his side are focused on doing their job and will be out to secure all three points as they aim to defend their Premiership crown this term.
“We’ll treat everyone with respect and do our homework on them and look at their strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully we can go there, give a professional performance and get three points,” Mackay-Steven continued.
“We’re not too concerned about other results. We’re just concentrating on ourselves and if we can do our business week in week, week out we’ll be up the top at the end of the season.”
Griffiths v McDonald
Top scorer Leigh Griffiths will look to add to his impressive tally against Motherwell, having netted in this fixture last season, and the Scotland international hitman is 2/1 for a brace or more, following his 10 goals already so far this campaign.
Former Australia forward Scott McDonald spent three seasons with the Hoops before leaving for Middlesbrough in 2010, and he is set to lead the Motherwell line in McGhee’s first game back in charge. The previous Parkhead attacker is 10/3 to net past his former club anytime, while in-form Louis Moult is 10/1 to strike last after five goals in his last eight outings.
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Coral’s top tip: Leigh Griffiths to score two or more @ 2/1