MOTHERWELL super sub Bob McHugh hopes he will get the chance to test himself against the SPL champions when the Steelmen run out at Parkhead this afternoon.

With Well striker Jamie Murphy looking like he will be heading for pastures new in the transfer window, the 21-year-old McHugh, who has scored two goals from the bench in his last four games, increasingly looks like the man who will be asked to fill the void if and when Murph moves on.

Ironically enough, McHugh was only denied a third goal in his last four outings when Murphy got a nick on his effort for the Fir Park side's opener in the 2-2 draw against Killie last time out.

With the Lanarkshire side determined to break a losing streak against Celts that dates back to February 27, 2011 – a John Sutton double that day claimed three points at Fir Park – McHugh says there is a real determination in the Well ranks to finally beat the Bhoys.

The Fir Park hitman said: "I feel like that, although I have been coming off the bench of late I have been making a bit of an impact and that is great.

"The season started so frustratingly for me with injuries, but now 2012 has ended on a bit of a high with my form and a

couple of goals.

"There has been a lot of speculation about Jamie and him probably moving on and if that happens then there will be a space up for grabs.

"The best way I can make a case for myself is by shining against the best.

"My confidence is high and as a team we are determined to finally do ourselves justice against Celtic.

"To take something from Parkhead in the first game of the new year would be a great launch pad into 2013."

McHugh was also in no doubt about who will pose the toughest test if he gets a chance to go up against the Celtic defence.

He added: "For me Charlie Mulgrew has probably been the most consistent Celtic defender of the last couple of seasons.

"He gives them so much offensively with the quality of his delivery at set-pieces, it is no surprise he is so influential.

"As a professional, you always want to test yourself against the best and for me the Celtic defence is certainly that.

"Anything I can nick against them would be huge, but the most important thing for us is that we finally do ourselves justice.

"We believe that over the last couple of seasons we have been as consistent as any side out with the Old Firm but not against them.

"Today is the ideal time to start doing something about that."