Numbers game adds up for Joe
Crocked midfield ace is delighted with fresh faces
JOe LeDLeY is confident Celtic’s quartet of new signings will make all the difference to the Parkhead side this season.
Hoops manager neil Lennon has added four players – keeper Lubos Kamenar, defender efe Ambrose and forwards Miku and Lassad nouioui – to his squad in recent days.
Ledley is one of a number of Parkhead stars who is currently crocked on the sidelines and the midfielder reckons there will be safety in numbers for Lennon’s side in the coming weeks.
He said: “Because of injuries, we are pretty low on players so we are happy to get good players in. Hopefully it benefits the team and makes us stronger.
“I don’t know much about them. I haven’t seen them training yet. People are away on international duty just now. From what I have heard, they seem like a good bunch of lads and obviously they will make the team better.
“It keeps everyone on their toes. everyone is fighting for their positions now. It is good that we have brought in fresh players.”
Celtic are expected by many to coast to SPL glory this season and they will be keen to add the two domestic cup competitions to their trophy cabinet as they look to take full advantage of Rangers’ demise to the Irn-Bru Third Division.
The Glasgow giants avoided each other in the Scottish Communities League Cup draw yesterday as the Hoops were paired with Raith Rovers and Rangers face SPL leaders Motherwell.
But Ledley admits an Old Firm tie would have set pulses racing across the city.
He said: “I think most of the fans wanted to see that. As players, we will take anyone. It was close but not close enough. If we win, maybe we will see them in the next round or the next cup.
“It’s a fantastic draw for us and we are just delighted to be at home. We haven’t been at home for a while in the cups.
“It’s not going to be an easy game so we will just go out there and play our football and hopefully get the result.
“We played a couple of teams away from home last year and it was difficult for us so we are happy we got that home draw and we hope it’s an advantage for us.
“We were devastated that we didn’t win it last year and we’ve got another opportunity now this year to win it.
“Hopefully we can achieve that but it’s going to be a difficult game. Raith are going to be up for it and will make it difficult for us. It gives them an opportunity to play in front of a good crowd, in a good stadium and on a good pitch.
“It will be a hard game so hopefully we can have all our players fit for it and put a strong team out. We will have to be ready from the off.”