The Bhoy's are back in town

The games are coming thick and fast now and hot on the heels of our midweek trip to Pittodrie comes the visit of treble chasing Celtic to the Highlands in the prequel to next Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final.

Both sides played in midweek with Inverness losing once more, this time to Aberdeen at Pittodrie. That's only one win in eight games for Inverness and no signs as to where our next points are coming from. Only Hamilton, Dundee United and St Mirren can boast worse runs than us. Celtic kept on track for the treble by beating Partick Thistle 2-0 and are well on their way to retaining the title.

The enormity of the season appears to have caught up with Inverness as we can't buy a win just now. The only team we have beaten in our last eight games has been Championship bound St Mirren who have suddenly become the Premiership whipping boys. That's just seven points from a possible twenty-four and a measely nine goals scored, just over one per game. Playing without a recognised striker does not help the cause, but such is the plight of those that can't afford to buy their way out of trouble.

Celtic come North on the back of five straight wins without conceding, and the League Cup already in the trophy cabinet at Parkhead. The league table says it all really. 63 goals scored and only 14 against from 30 games has the Bhoys in a league of their own. They can be beaten though and St Johnstone did just that six weeks ago, but it took a stunning goal from Danny Swanson to do that.

The two previous games this season show a win apiece, but we are now in reverse gear while Celtic are at full throttle. Eoghann O'Connell helped us out with an own goal back in August and a John Guidetti strike reversed the scoreline at the beginning of November. August seems like a long time ago now, and it would take a brave man to bet against Celtic slipping up, and given our recent form then it could be a tough week to be an Inverness fan.

Ronny Deila has been singing the praises of the Caley Jags boss this season. However, as the games keep coming, our sparkling start to the campaign has been overtaken by some rather tentative football. Given our resources, it's hardly surprising, and without the option of a Billy Mckay, the wheels seem to have come off. How is the bench at Wigan by the way?

Carl Tremarco missed the Pittodrie trip with an arm injury and Richie Foran is still being rebuilt. Dean Brill has been on the bench recently and many would like to see him start, however Esson is not the real problem here. Maybe Yogi is keeping his attacking options for the cup game; I wish!

Ronny Deila has a wealth of talent to choose from, therefore any missing players will not impact on his side unfortunately. Scott Brown could return after suspension and Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong are available for league duty, but will miss next weeks cup game. Charlie Mulgrew and Mikael Lustig remain sidelined.

tm4tj prediction:- It pains me to say it, but I can't see past a convincing win for the visitors. Like them or not, but they are head and shoulders above the rest of the division and get stronger as the season progresses when all around them stumble towards the summer break. Our lack of goals is getting frustrating and given the way Hughes sets the team out I can't see that changing this season now. It may seem to be a tad pessimistic, but I am only going by recent results and they are not showing us in a good light. A goal for us would be a bonus, but can we stop the green machine in full flow? I'm not holding my breath on this one.