Celtic striker Tony Watt insists the Hoops are fully focused on defeating St Mirren today despite Bar-celona looming in a mouth-watering Champions League tie three days later.

The Hoops players know they need a win against Danny Lennon’s team in order to stay top of the table. But despite having the prospect of playing against one of the best teams in Europe to look forward to Watt says his side will not be distracted from their domestic duties.

“People say that all the time but you can only play what is put in front of you,” the Scotland Under-21 international said.

“St Mirren are the next team up for Celtic and if we don’t beat them we will go into the Barcelona game on a downer so we need to win this match.”

Watt has been in sensational form since bursting on to the scene last season with a double against Motherwell after coming on as a substitute.

Regular starter

Despite finding the net four times, the teenager has started just three games for Celtic and says he does not consider himself an established first-team player.

Watt said: “You cannot call yourself a first-team player after three appearances but if I play 30 games this season maybe I will look at things differently.”

Celtic will be without James Forrest and Scott Brown for the match against St Mirren after the pair picked up knocks while on international duty while fellow Scotland forward Kris Commons is a doubt with a hamstring strain.

Elsewhere today, second-placed Hibernian face a tough trip to Dingwall to take on Ross County, second-bottom Dundee United will try and kick-start their campaign when they play Aberdeen at Tannadice and St Johnstone host Kilmarnock.

Hearts, who have been hit with a transfer embargo after failing to pay wages on time to some players and manager John McGlynn for the second month running, take on Motherwell at Tynecastle tomorrow.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.