Hi °C | Lo °C Donegal Celtic boss Paddy Kelly has confidently predicted that his team will perform "much better" than it did in last Saturday's drawn Irish Cup semi-final with Coleraine.
Kelly believes his players have played better with every challenge they have faced since the start of 2008.
The general consensus is that Celtic wasted their best opportunity to join Linfield in May's final showcase on Saturday, a belief that bemuses Kelly.
"We found ourselves in a difficult situation right up until the end of December and everyone wanted to play us., but things have changed a great deal. We are now a team to be respected and we all believe we can match any Irish League team anytime," said Kelly.
"I have to say I find the view that we needn't turn up to the replay quite amusing. Since the start of the year we have taken on our second chances and we have made amends on the majority of occasions. We have made a habit of overcoming odds, hoodoos and hurdles and the replay against Coleraine is no different; it's our next big challenge and we can't wait for it."
He added: "The so-called experts said Coleraine would beat us in the first game, but they didn't. The said we would be out-played by Coleraine, yet we bossed the game. They said our fairytale would end on Saturday. It didn't. I would rather be in our camp than any other at this exact time.
"After Saturday's game we were the disappointed ones because we allowed Coleraine to snatch a replay, but the reaction of my players was one of a champion merely suffering from temporary frustration. The first game is over and done with. We have talked about the few things that allowed Coleraine to score and I know that now we have addressed them, the players will not allow them to happen again."
Kelly is not likely to shuffle his pack ahead of tonight's replay at Ballymena Showgrounds (7.45pm) though he may call on young star Daniel Hanna or former Ballymena United defender Gerard McCabe to join his squad.
Celtic striker Paul McVeigh said: "We have nothing to fear, absolutely nothing. I can't wait for the replay because there are things I picked up on that I intend to make the most of it."
