ALEX SCHALK believes Ross County can feed off the general sense of dissatisfaction among Celtic supporters to blow another hole in Ronny Deila's season.
The Dingwall club head to Glasgow to meet the defending Ladbrokes Premiership champions on Sunday with Schalk optimistic of success, having scored his side's decisive third goal at Hampden Park earlier this season when County recorded a 3-1 win in the semi-final of the League Cup.
Schalk knows Celtic manager Deila and his players will feel a heavy weight of responsibility to win the title as quickly as possible following their loss to Rangers in the last four of the William Hill Scottish Cup, but he believes that may work to his team's advantage.
"They will be under a lot of pressure," he said. "They expect to win the title now as they've lost two cup runs and fans will really be putting them under pressure.
"They will be really sharp and I think they'll want to get a couple of goals in the first half-hour to get a big win against us, but I don't think they are that good to outplay us on Sunday.
"I think we can take advantage of their mistakes. Maybe they're a bit nervous because of the pressure and we can get a result."
Jim McIntyre, the Ross County manager, has also pointed out that his side have plenty to play for as they prepare for their journey south given the financial boost that finishing fourth in the Premiership would bring.
The Highland side are currently one point behind Motherwell with St Johnstone ahead of them on goal difference in fifth.
"The placing money is worth a few quid to the club and that can get an extra player in or a couple of players," he said in an interview with BBC Scotland. "The three clubs (involved) will be desperate to secure fourth as it will make a difference to next season.
"We certainly won't go into it over-confident.
"We know Celtic, on their day, are capable of scoring a right few goals."
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