Despite being rooted at the bottom of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League table and with just two league wins since November last year, John Hughes, the Falkirk manager, insists his side will not be intimidated by the prospect of facing Celtic at Parkhead tonight.

Falkirk go into the rearranged match three points adrift of St Mirren and in desperate need of points to avoid dropping into the first division next season.

With Celtic fighting tooth and nail with Old Firm rivals Rangers for the title, Hughes is expecting a top-class display from the champions as they bid to maintain their lead at the top. However, Hughes is convinced the importance riding on the match for both teams will bring out the best in his own players.

He said: "For a number of reasons, we're at the bottom of the league, but we've still got an opportunity to get ourselves out of it. If we can take anything out of the match it's something nobody expects us to do because all the expectations are on them.

"But we'll go there with a great belief in what we're doing. I've told the players there will be questions asked of them and they need to make sure they stand up to it. Do you go there and get intimidated or do you go there and get inspired?

"I'd like to think I've got players in my dressing room that can go to that venue and get inspired, and I'd like to think that will be the case but we'll give them the respect they deserve, and rightly so.

"You can say that's a team that's played against the best in the world in Manchester United and, as a player, coach and manager, you're rubbing shoulders with that level. You have to use it to inspire you and I think I've got the players that will be inspired."

Darren Barr, the Falkirk captain, is available again after suspension but strike pair Steve Lovell and Mark Stewart will miss out through injury.

Hughes added: "Nothing will be decided on what happens in this game, it's from then on in that it all starts for us, really. I've told the players that I'm not going to say too much, I'm just going to look in their eyes and it will tell me. I would like to think they've got the desire to go and play there.

"I'm looking for them to keep a clean sheet, I'm looking for them to go and pass the ball, and I'm looking for them to go and win the football match. That's what I want from Falkirk Football Club, no matter where we go. They have to go and step up to the mark try and produce for me."

Tam Scobbie will go into the match determined the trip to Parkhead is one he makes again next season. He said: "As a young player you want to be playing at the big stadiums. To go to places like Parkhead and Ibrox is a great occasion, it's the same with Easter Road and Tynecastle.

"Just being in the SPL and playing week-in, week-out is fantastic. Not many young guys get the chance.

"I turned 21 last week and I have already amassed a number of games, and I want to amass more in the SPL if I can. So, hopefully, we'll still be in the SPL next season.

"We know the situation that faces us and we're not fazed by it. We need to approach it in the right manner and that's what we'll be doing. The gaffer has told us to make sure they know they've been in a game. If we go there and try and move it the way we did against Rangers then we'll put on a good show and maybe with a bit of luck we can get a couple of goals."

Scobbie has never known life outside the SPL and is a dedicated proponent of the work carried out by Hughes in ensuring the club currently enjoys their top-flight status.

He added: "He has kept us in the SPL and then for two years we just missed out on a top-six place. For some reason or another it's just not happened for us this season."