CELTIC are in the midst of a heavy schedule of games, and the Scottish League Cup is overshadowed by more prestigious competitions.

But Neil Lennon is wary of losing momentum - and face - so will give the visit of Allan Moore's struggling Morton tomorrow night the utmost respect.

He may tinker a little with the side, but he has been doing that for every game this season, most often forced into this action by injuries.

Fielding a very strong starting XI is his intention, and, if things are going well, he may then elect to take off some of the most over-worked of his stalwarts.

But, try telling Scott Brown, for example, that he is not required for this cup-tie - and stand well back for the reaction.

Get the job done, then throw on some fringe men to give them match practise.

YES says MICHAEL GRANT

Georgios Samaras, Amido Balde, Tom Rogic, Nir Biton: that was quite a bench Celtic had at the weekend and all four of them can expect to start when Neil Lennon begins his assault on the League Cup tomorrow night.

Celtic can never take this tournament as lightly as, say, Manchester United or Chelsea do the English equivalent. It's too big a deal if they get knocked out because it kills the chance of winning a treble.

So they play a "weakened" team, but not too weakened. A home game against a Championship team (Morton are joint bottom of it) is about as straightforward as it ever gets for Celtic and the chance should be taken to play the summer signings - Biton, Balde, Teemu Pukki, Virgil van Dijk, Derk Boerrigter - to continue their bedding-in process.

That's not a weakened team … it's one that highlights their strength in depth.