Kris Commons sees Celtic as being in the "ideal" position as the final lap of the SPL race is just ahead. The Parkhead side is sitting on the shoulders of Rangers who are just one point ahead although Neil Lennon's men have a game in hand. Commons is looking forward to the home game against Dundee United on Sunday and believes the Parkhead men are in the best position to maintain the pressure on their old rivals and be able to take advantage of any slip.
He said: "It's in our hands now and that's how we wanted it after the Rangers game. So it is ideal for us. We are going into the run-in with everything to play for. There is a long way to go, a lot of points to play for but I think we are in the driving seat in that it is in our hands. It is ours to lose or win. Dundee United is possibly the toughest fixture, yes, but looking at the fixtures they are all going to be tough because everyone wants to beat us. We are trying to win the league so there is added pressure of needing to win rather than wanting to win. But we are in a good state of mind at the moment. Confidence is high, we are playing well, training has been fantastic and when push has come to shove we have shown that we have the bottle, going to places like Dundee United and Kilmarnock and winning comfortably. So there is half the job done but we still need to finish it off."
If Lennon brings Commons back into the side he fully expects to take up penalty duties again against the Taysiders. He watched as Georgios Samaras' effort was saved by Allan McGregor at Ibrox last weekend. Commons supported his team mate when he said: "Obviously he missed a penalty but I know Sammy is itching to get playing again. He put a good shift in and certainly caused them problems. We spoke about it before the game and I did ask what would happen if I got on. He said he was confident of putting the ball in the back of the net but sometimes things don't go to plan and to be fair their keeper pulled off a great save. But if I do know Sammy like I do, he will be wanting the ball for the next penalty."
However, asked if Samaras would be getting the ball for the next penalty, Commons simply replied: "No."