Published: Tuesday, 19th January, 2010 2:00pm

Grady - We must believe we can win

by Roger Graham

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Erik Paartalu: The big fellow is very doubtful with an ankle knock.

MORTON boss James Grady has picked his team for tonight's big Scottish Cup fourth round clash with Celtic at Cappielow - and he is going for victory.

There is a big gap between the Old Firm giants, in second place in the SPL, and Morton, third bottom of the First Division, but in a one-off cup tie before a capacity home crowd, the Ton manager has belief.

He said: "It's great to be involved in a game like this. The team's in place and we know what we have to do.

"We've worked on a few things and feel we know them [Celtic] well enough."

Celtic, having undergone a few changes in personnel in the transfer window, played a diamond shape in midfield on Saturday in the draw with Falkirk, watched by Grady.

The Ton boss said: "They changed things on Saturday, so we have to be prepared to cover that. But Tony Mowbray has more often than not played a 4-4-2.

"We will be up for it and are out to prove they can be beaten. No one gives us any hope, but Allan [McManus] and I believe they can be beaten and we believe the players do too.

"We have to see how their new players like coming down to an old stadium where the crowd's on top of you. I go into every game wanting to win it. There's no point otherwise.

"Ultimately they will have a lot of the ball, but we have decent enough offensive players and will make chances. Hopefully we will take a couple and also nullify their threat. We have to believe we can win or there is no point in turning up.

"We can't allow them time on the ball or we'll be punished. We have to be in their faces, and when we get the ball we have to try and keep it."

With new signing - former Celt Michael Tidser - ineligible, Morton will be much along the usual lines, though midfielder Erik Paartalu is very doubtful with an ankle knock, and seems likely to be ruled out.

Grady was keeping his line-up close to his chest, but it would not surprise if he goes 4-5-1. That could mean a line-up along the following lines: Stewart; MacGregor, Greacen, Shimmin, Reid; Finlayson, MacFarlane, Jenkins, Monti, McAlister; Weatherson. Ryan McGuffie, given his experience and height, could be preferred to Carlo Monti.

The alternative could be an adventurous 4-4-2 with Wake up front and either Monti or McGuffie dropping out of midfield.

At last it is game on, after a frustrating spell when the weather has been the dominant force.

And a packed Cappielow will provide an intense atmosphere.