Aberdeen defender Mark Reynolds is not fooled by Celtic’s below-par start to the season under new manager Ronny Deila.
The Hoops, who won the league by 29 points last season, have already dropped points in four of their 11 Premiership matches this season ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Pittodrie.
But the Celts appear to have turned a corner and are unbeaten in six matches since last month’s surprise 1-0 home defeat by Hamilton Accies.
Reynolds believes the Dons have to be ready to face a much-improved Hoops from the line-up they met in September when Celtic won 2-1 in Glasgow.
He said: “No matter how good a side you are or how expensive the players are that you have bought, when a new manager comes in it is always going to be difficult.
“It was going to be tough for a couple of months but you knew they would come out the other side stronger.
“Celtic were always going to stand by the manager and the players have clearly bought into what he is doing as they are starting to win games and score goals.
“Celtic are always your toughest opponents. I don’t think I am being disrespectful to anyone else in the league by saying that. On their day they play some great football and can hold their own against the best in Europe. We are under no illusions there is a poor or weakened Celtic team coming here.”
But Reynolds is confident the Reds are playing well enough to give last season’s champions a tough test at Pittodrie tomorrow.
The Dons have won seven of their previous nine matches and are unbeaten in seven home games, giving Reynolds plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about his side’s prospects.
The Dons defender added: “It is nice to have found that balance where we are keeping clean sheets but still managing to score goals. We knew once we did that the results would start to pick up.
“We haven’t hit our full stride yet – we are still looking for that perfect performance where everything goes right.
“When that happens someone will take a doing off us. Sunday is going to be a big test but we are happy with the way we are playing and ready for the challenge.”