CELTIC continue their defence of the Betfred League Cup when they play host to Partick Thistle tomorrow night (Wednesday). The Hoops have won the trophy for the past three season and are aiming to take a step closer to retaining the trophy by booking a place in the semi-final of the competition.

To do so they will have to see off a Partick Thistle side currently languishing at the foot of the Championship, and with a new manager in charge, with the appointment of Ian McCall.

Neil Lennon knows his team will be strong favourites for the game, but he’s taking nothing for granted.

Speaking at Lennoxtown today, the Celtic manager said: “We want to keep the momentum going but, ultimately, it’s the quarter-final of a cup competition so we want to win the game. We want to play well and keep our form going. The club, and a lot of the players here have won three League Cups in a row, and, ultimately, we want to keep that cup run in both competitions going for as long as possible.

“In terms of our thinking, the fact that Partick Thistle have brought in a new manager yesterday hasn’t affected how we’re approaching the game.

“I know Ian McCall very well and he did a fantastic job at Ayr United. I know this is his second time at Thistle and I’m sure he’s looking forward to the challenge.

“He’s a very good manager, a very experienced manager and I think it’s a great appointment, and also having Alan Archibald there as his number two, who knows the club inside out and did a fantastic job managing himself. That’s a very potent combination going forward for Partick Thistle.”

Neil Lennon also confirmed that he will make some changes to his squad following Sunday’s 3-1 league win over Kilmarnock, some out of choice and some from necessity. Among those changes will be the restoration of Craig Gordon to the starting XI for the game, while Moritz Bauer misses out after picking up an ankle knock.

“There will be opportunities for players who perhaps haven’t had game-time recently to go out and show they’re up to speed and ready to be called upon whenever,” the Hoops boss said. “We’ll pick what we think is a strong team to progress.

“Craig Gordon will play tomorrow. He hasn’t done a lot wrong and I think it’s important that he does get games. It’s important that we keep him motivated.

“I’ve got three superb goalkeepers – Scott Bain is still out at the moment – and if anything was to happen to Fraser and Craig’s undercooked, that would be remiss of me. Not only does he need to play, he deserves to play. But it’s a decision made game-by-game.

“You just want to keep the momentum going, particularly in the cups. It is a competition I haven’t won as a manager – I’ve come close a couple of times, so it would be nice to win it. But there’s no guarantees.

“We need a bit of luck along the way and we need to play well, so we’re not thinking about winning it. We’re just thinking about tomorrow and making sure we’re professional, ready and in the right frame of mind, which is really important.”

Manager: Players will be up for cup-tie as we target semi-final spot