Celtic v St Mirren: Kris Commons says any slackness will undermine strong squad

Shaun Maloney is set to return to a nearly-full squad following a four-month lay-off as Neil Lennon's men look to extend their two-point lead over Rangers in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League when they host St Mirren today.

Celtic are odds-on favourites to regain the SPL trophy with every leading bookmaker given the relative strengths of the Old Firm playing pools.

Rangers did not have enough fit players to fill their bench for last weekend's home defeat by Dundee United while the likes of Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn could not find a place among the substitutes as Celtic beat Hibs 3-1 on Wednesday. Celtic's first-half display was among their most impressive of the season as they bounced back from their 2-1 defeat by Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

And that loss showed Commons they need to work hard to meet high expectations. The Scotland winger said: "I think on our day we're a good outfit but there have certainly been performances this year that have warranted the gaffer giving us a roasting, the Motherwell game comes to mind.

"It's important we keep our levels high and keep ticking over, especially at this stage of the season. Our main goal is the league and a lot of players didn't turn up at the cup final, so that kind of kicks you up the backside to get your mind in gear.

"That's the type of motivation we perhaps needed to seal the deal in the championship, that it's not all going to be rosy. We went into the cup final as favourites and came out pretty much battered and bruised and beaten."

Commons made way for James Forrest in the starting line-up against Hibs after failing to match his impressive displays since moving from Derby in January against Rangers at Hampden. And he knows there are other players waiting to come in for anyone who fails to perform. "I was a little disappointed not to be involved but we have got a big squad, a good squad, and players are coming back from injury," Commons said.

Assistant manager Johan Mjallby is optimistic that the improving condition of their squad can help them reach their peak in the run-in.

"That's the dream scenario and I hope so," the Swede said. "It's a luxury that way, even if it's a big player for us, if we see someone is tired and not really, really performing, we have a good chance to change things and you know you have a good player knocking on the door.

"So it helps now when we have more or less everyone fit and healthy and raring to go.

"It's only Daniel (Majstorovic) now and Andreas Hinkel who are not in the squad."