Celtic will click, says Camara

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GLASGOW, Feb 9, 2010 (AFP) - Celtic's Diomansy Kamara is backing his teammates tohaul themselves back into contention for the Scottish Premier League title after their weekend win in the Scottish Cup.

The striker, on-loan from Fulham until the end of the season, opened his account for the Hoops with a goal against Dunfermline as Celtic came from behind to defeat their First Division opponents 4-2.

Tony Mowbray's side now return to league duty on Wednesday as they host Hearts at Parkhead. It is the start of a crucial run of must win games for Celtic as they try and peg back rival Rangers ten-point lead.

After their game against Hearts the Hoops travel to Aberdeen, host Dundee United at home before facing Rangers in the Old Firm derby at the end of the month.

The Celtic manager came under pressure after his new look side, including on-loan Spurs striker Robbie Keane, slipped to a defeat to Kilmarnock last week.

But after bringing in eight new players during the January transfer window Kamara said it was always going to take time for the players to gel and tipped them to hit top gear this month after their win at Dunfermline.

"The important thing now is to try to build on that kind of display. We are a team that has not played very often together and there are a lot of new faces," Kamara said.

"But I think once we get two or three games together that you will see a very good side because there are some fantastic players here.

"We know how important the game against Hearts is. But for the confidence I think it was good for the team to win against Dunfermline and I think we now want to take the same kind of form into the game against Hearts.

"Everyone knows that we need to start winning games in the league."

Celtic will still be without Shaun Maloney and Paddy McCourt but defender Jos Hooiveld could come back into contention.

Jim Jefferies brings his Hearts side to Parkhead still looking for his first win since returning as manager following a league and League Cup semi-final defeats.

Walter Smith will come up against a familar face when he takes his Rangers side to Fir Park to face Motherwell. Archie Knox was Smith's assistant at Rangers and Everton for 11 years but will take his place in the Motherwell dugout alongside new boss Craig Brownon Wednesday.

The Old Firm side have been boosted by the return of top scorers Kris Boyd and Kenny Miller, who both appeared from the bench during Saturday's Scottish Cup tie although Maurice Edu and DaMarcus Beasley are expected to miss out.

Hamilton face a tough task to pull themselves off the bottom of the SPL as they travel to Tannadice to take on fourth-placed Dundee United.

Hibernian will aim to keep pace with the top two as they host Aberdeen at Easter Road. The Dons struggled to a 1-1 draw with First Division Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup at the weekend while John Hughes' side could take second spot if results go their way.

St Mirren and St Johnstone met with both sides looking to get some points on the board in a bid to move further away from the relegation zone.

Falkirk host Kilmarnock in their relegation clash with both sides looking for a win in their battle to avoid the drop.

Fixtures (1945 GMT kick-off):

Wednesday: Celtic v Hearts, Dundee United v Hamilton, Falkirk v Kilmarnock, Hibernian v Aberdeen, Motherwell v Rangers, St Mirren v St Johnstone