Celtic manager Gordon Strachan is desperate to take the title race to the final week of the season - but he knows Hibernian's UEFA Cup hopes could scupper his dream.

Celtic will look to strengthen their standing in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League championship battle with victory over Hibernian at Parkhead on Sunday.

But Hibs, who held Rangers to a goalless draw last weekend, are also looking to remain in contention to finish third ahead of their final match against Motherwell at Easter Road.

"We would like to win because that would take it to the last game," Strachan said.

"But Hibs have got to try to beat us so we have to be ready for that.

"We know how difficult it is going to be, because they made it difficult last week for Rangers and I expect the same this week.

"Over the last few years they have been really tough games and this year has been no different. They have been tough opponents for most people this year."

Strachan is hoping to include defender Stephen McManus following a calf injury while Mark Wilson in on stand-by to replace full-back Andreas Hinkel, who has picked up a knock.

But he is expected to continue with the same attacking combination following five successive SPL wins.

That will see £4.4million signing Scott Brown on the bench again after Barry Robson picked up the Clydesdale Bank Premier League player of the month award.

On-loan Manchester City striker Georgios Samaras is also likely to have to settle for a seat in the dugout.

"I have always been lucky to have a good squad of players here," Strachan said.

"I always have had difficult choices to think about changing players.

"It's not been any different, I don't think. They are two good players and Massimo (Donati) is also on the bench."

Brown lost his place when he incurred a three-match suspension, but Strachan is not looking at his absence as a chance for the Scotland midfielder to regroup after failing to maintain a lightning start to his Celtic career.

"I've never thought about it that way," Strachan said. "I'm just trying to pick a team that can win a game of football.

"Scott is going to be a terrific player, there is no doubt about it. It's just that he got himself suspended and someone else took his place."

While Brown is likely to feature at some point against his former club, another former Hibs player will be nowhere near the action.

Derek Riordan remains an outcast after criticising Strachan in a newspaper interview last month.

"There is no change," Strachan said. "He is not training with the first team at the moment."

Forward Riordan has a year left on his contract but will be desperate to leave Parkhead in the summer.

When asked about the player's future, Strachan replied: "If people have got contracts, they have a future."

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