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celtic refuse to panic

SOLID GOULD: Morgan Gould. 15/11/09. Pic. Lee Warren. © Gallo Images.
SOLID GOULD: Morgan Gould. 15/11/09. Pic. Lee Warren. © Gallo Images.

Linda Moreotsene

To bottom of the log Bloemfontein Celtic players, the concept of relegation does not exist.

The players say they will not give in without a fight, even against league champions SuperSport United tonight even though all the smart money is on United.

Even as he accepts their precarious position on the Absa Premiership league table, captain John Maduka quashes any suggestion that his team could be heading to the First Division.

"Relegation is not in our vocabulary. We have to avoid desperation at all cost. We get our chance to redeem ourselves from what happened at the weekend against AmaZulu," said Maduka.

Striker Mbuyiselo Sambu has also not thought about life in the inland stream.

"Yes we are in dangerous territory, but my future is at stake here. We refuse to paralyse ourselves with fear about getting relegated. So no, I am not worried about getting relegated and losing my job," Sambu said.

It could be they are just in denial.

Negativity will be their downfall, said Kleinbooi Taaibos.

"I have to take into account the calibre of players Celtic has, and the answer to your question is that we are going to survive," said Taaibos.

Club PRO Sello Nduna refuted suggestion that partnerships entered into by Celtic and any of their financial backers could be in jeopardy should the team get relegated.

"As a matter of fact, we will be scouting for talent around the country in March and April for our academy with Sporting Lisbon. Those are not plans of partners planning to back out," said Nduna.

With the kind of football they have been playing, Celtic could pull off an upset, said SuperSport United assistant coach Thomas Madigage.

"We might have a little bit of encouragement and positivity from our 3-0 win against Kaizer Chiefs, but that also puts us on a vulnerable place. We will approach Celtic with respect and caution as we still remember that they have beaten us twice this season," said Madigage.

Among the players who will be in Gavin Hunt's side are Elias Pelembe and Morgan Gould.

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