Larsen wants Celtic to shine

The international break has given Bloemfontein Celtic time to recover from the pain of missing out on the MTN8 final. Now coach Clinton Larsen wants to ensure they move up the Absa Premiership table.

Celtic face Maritzburg United at Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday night and, after clinching their first victory in their third league match against Orlando Pirates a few weeks ago, Larsen has set the bar high for his players.

Phunya SeleSele are ninth on the log with four points after three matches.

"We had set ourselves a target of reaching eight or nine points after five league matches. If we can get four or six points in our next two matches, then we will be happy," Larsen said.

"The break was good for us. We have been working very hard on finishing and we are also working on being one of the best defensive units in the league," added the coach, who will have captain Bevan Fransman back from injury after he missed the MTN8 semifinal defeat to Kaizer Chiefs.

"We needed to develop a better understanding between the new and older players. It takes a while for new players to understand their roles in the system. When we play with a certain type of striker, we need to have a game plan and complement him in a certain way."

Larsen has a selection headache ahead of the clash with the Team of Choice. In the 1-0 victory over Pirates, Larsen used fringe players who raised their hands for selection.

"Yes I have a selection headache. Tshepo Rikhotso has done very well. [Vuyani] Ntanga came in against Pirates and scored. Lyle Lakay has done well too. There's Tshegofatso Mabasa, who is doing well for the Diski Challenge team."

Celtic face a United side that has picked up just one point in three matches, but Larsen is not underestimating them.