CALLUM BALL will be up against a couple of familiar faces when his St Mirren side take on Celtic today.

The frontman is relishing the chance to go head to head with his former team-mates Callum McGregor and Kris Commons in the early kick-off in Paisley.

Ball made the switch to the Buddies this summer after five years with Derby County.

During his time with the Midlands club he crossed paths with Commons when he was a teenager making his way in the game while the Scotland star was close to completing his switch to Parkhead.

And last season Ball spent half a season on loan at Notts County, where Hoops starlet McGregor was lighting up Meadow Lane.

But while the Saints striker will be pleased to catch up with the pair after today's clash, he hopes he and his fellow Buddies can make it an afternoon to forget for the Celtic duo.

The 21-year-old striker said: "I didn't play with Kris at Derby but I trained with him when I was younger. He's always been a brilliant player.

"Technically, he is excellent. He's good with both feet and can score from anywhere.

"It was unbelievable to watch him in training and learn a few things from him.

"He can score goals and I've tried to take that into my game.

"I know how Kris plays, so it's a shame I didn't get the chance to play with him. But now I hope to play against him."

Ball continued: "Celtic have a few dangerous players. I was at Notts County with Callum. He's a good young talent.I used to play up front and he played just off me. He has great feet, is quick and can do everything.

"Callum can score goals. He had scored a few before I arrived at County last Christmas but after that I managed to set him up for some more goals.

"And Callum has done well since coming back to Celtic at the end of his loan spell.

"But I'm hoping that he won't score against us this weekend."

BALL is at last settling in at St Mirren after a goalless run of five games. His first goal in black and white came in last Friday night's 2-1 league win against Partick Thistle.

He is loving the challenge of playing in Scotland's top flight and mixing it with clubs such as today's opponents. Despite the Saints currently sitting second-bottom of the Premiership, he admits he has been impressed with the standard of football north of the border.

Ball explained: "It's always nice to play against really big teams likes Celtic.

"Obviously, down in England you won't get that chance if you are not playing with one of the big clubs in the Champions League or Europe.

"But you get the chance up here to play against them and hopefully we can get a win.

"Down south a lot of fans say the Scottish league is rubbish and they basically slate it. But the likes of Kris Commons came up here, so he knows how good the league is.

"I think it's a hard league. It's a lot quicker than the English Championship and the lower leagues down there.

"It's been tough but hopefully I can get a few more goals."