JOHN HUGHES, the Inverness Caley Thistle manager, declared the timing of Celtic's SPFL Premiership clash tonight a massive advantage to the Scottish Cup semi-final underdogs.
The champions elect will face Kilmarnock with just three days' recovery time before pursuing the latest instalment of their bid for the Treble under Ronny Deila.
Hughes, who guided his team to last season's League Cup final, experienced the pitfalls of a similar scenario before the narrow Celtic Park defeat to Aberdeen on penalty kicks.
Just days earlier, Inverness had to battle through a bruising league clash with Hibernian, leaving bodies low on energy and keeping cup final preparation time to a premium..
While the 50-year-old acknowledges Celtic are a "different beast" in terms of resources and personnel, he views tonight's scheduling as a welcome boost to his team's chances of reaching the first Scottish Cup Final in their 21-year history.
Hughes admitted: "I'm a little bit surprised they're playing a league game on the Wednesday. That's advantage Inverness, that's for sure.
"It happened to us in the League Cup final last year where we had to play Hibs a few days before.
"It was very hard for us to prepare for the final in those circumstances and I felt, during the league game, the players were scared to tackle through fear of injury.
"They were also holding back in challenges knowing there was the risk of a red card and it is understandable as players probably see the one chance of a lifetime to play in a national cup final.
"Celtic are a different animal from us, but there's every chance you might get an injury or a red card. Football's like that.
"I wouldn't wish that on Celtic. I want Celtic to be at their strongest - and may the best team win."
Hughes discounted the notion that agreeing to play tonight was a sign of over-confidence on Celtic's part, given league demands to fulfil the fixture ahead of the split.
But he shed light on his own quiet confidence ahead of Sunday's massive occasion.
Hughes said: "I assume Celtic were forced to play the league game, but the other great thing is it gives me an opportunity to get down there and get another look at them.
"We will be meticulous in our preparation and it may well be I see something of note on Wednesday night.
"One thing I will say, there will not be Gary Mackay-Steven or Stuart Armstrong against us - two great additions.
"I don't think that's Ronny Deila building his squad for Scotland, I think that's him building for Europe with those signings.
"The return they've got instantly from those two boys is outstanding, so they will be a miss.
"Celtic, even when I was there, don't change their system for no-one. You worry about Glasgow Celtic. That's the formidable task in front of us, but yes, we can beat them.
"I don't know why, but there's something in the water. I might be wrong and it's dangerous to dream, but something tells me there might be a shock in store on Sunday."
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