By Jim Davie

STEPHEN SIMMONS is hoping to continue his recent goal-scoring run when Dunfermline travel to Glasgow today to take on league leaders Celtic.

The player, who has scored half of the Pars’ Scottish Cup goals this season, including two last week against Partick Thistle, was also on the scoresheet when Celtic visited East End Park, though that goal turned out to be no more than a consolation in a 2-1 defeat.

Goals from midfield are always welcome, especially given the Fifers’ well documented scarcity of them in the league and Simmons is more than happy to contribute his share.

“I’m always looking to score,” said the midfielder. “I’ve had a wee bit of luck in the last month or so, so I’m hoping to keep that going.

“I’ve scored against Celtic, Rangers and Hearts already this season, so another today would be great

“That would make me top scorer. Stevie Crawford’s got eight but some of them were for Aberdeen so that doesn’t count.”

The former Hearts player admits that the prospect of playing at venues like Parkhead is one that really appeals to him, irrespective of the daunting nature of the task ahead.

“I can’t wait for the game,” he revealed. “I always enjoy playing at places like Ibrox and Parkhead. There’s always a great atmosphere.

“You don’t get a chance to play in that environment often and the opposition are better players, which helps you to up your game.”

Normally, games such as these are often “written off” by players, management and fans alike, despite what they may say in public, but Simmons is adamant that there can be no question of the Pars writing off this fixture as one in which they have no chance.

“Games are running out for us to get points,” he continued.

“We’re needing to get something out of this game, something to kick start us before we meet St Mirren next week.

“However, we’d need to play really well to get anything at all.

“They have a never-say-die attitude and keep going to the last minute as they proved last week at Inverness.

“They never give up, they’re never beaten. They have players who can turn a game in a second. You need to be switched on all the time.

“They beat Manchester United and they drew with AC Milan, that’s what you’re up against.

“They’re flying and will be trying to get the league wrapped up as soon as they can.

“They might rest some of their players, but even if they did whoever replaces them is going to be quality. We’re going there to get something and we’ve got to believe we can.

“The confidence in the team has never really been down. The cup games have given us a lift, they’ve been good games and we’ve scored a few goals so we’ll give it everything we’ve got.”

Dunfermline manager Stephen Kenny was still of the opinion that anything his side got from Parkhead would be a bonus, but he was upbeat about his side’s prospects.

“I think we’re gradually getting better,” he said. “We’re improving, so it’s a challenge for us.

“Our performances have been generally quite good recently, apart from the game at Aberdeen.”

The Irishman is buoyed by the fact that the East End injury list is clearing significantly, with only Scott Thomson, Greg Shields and Mark Burchill still out.

In addition, Jim O’Brien is ineligible.

“We used to sign a player on the Friday and put him in on the Saturday,” said Kenny, half jokingly.

“Also, we used to strap players up and put them on, but now the position has improved to the extent that it’s a fight to get on the bench.”

Darren Young is fit again and will be in the squad and the Fife boss has the option of including recent signing Tam McManus.

“I’ll have to think about whether or not to include Tam,” added Kenny. “He’s certainly looked a good player in training.”

Celtic have injury concerns over all of their recognised first-team strikers ahead of the visit of Dunfermline.

Kenny Miller is recovering from dental surgery but should play while Craig Beattie trained for the first time yesterday following a hamstring problem.

Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink (hamstring) is not fit enough to start, Maciej Zurawski (calf) is out and even teenager Cillian Sheridan, who made his debut last week, is doubtful with a broken hand and a back problem.

Bobo Balde (broken leg) remains on the sidelines but Shunsuke Nakamura is expected to play despite breaking a bone in his hand.