“Playing a big club provides its own motivation for the players and we are looking to finish the league season on a high,” continues Da Gama.

At present not much separates the two sides on the league table. In fact only one place and two points are the difference between the two and Da Gama is fully aware of that: “If we beat Pirates we will go above them and that is our immediate goal at the moment.”

Celtic, at the moment, are in sixth place on 41 points while Pirates are just above them in fifth place on 43 points. The side from Bloemfontein has also been in fine form of late going unbeaten in their last six league matches.

Still, the Phunya Sele Sele coach understands that it will not be an easy game against the Buccaneers. “Pirates are a very dangerous side and on their day, if they get it right, they have shown they can beat anyone. They also have one of the best defensive outfits in the league.”

Da Gama does take some comfort in the fact that his side is playing at home: “We will have the advantage of home ground and that always makes a difference.”

However, when these two sides met earlier in the 2009/10 PSL season Pirates were convincing winners, beating Celtic by three goals to one. The Buccaneers coach, Ruud Krol, will be hoping for a similar result to consolidate their place on the league table. A win could also possibly see them move up to fourth on the log if Santos loses in their last league match.

“Obviously we want to end the season with a win and we will do everything to achieve that,” says Krol regarding his side’s last league match, but he much like his counterpart does not expect an easy match. “It is going to be a tough match and we expect nothing less from Celtic.”

Ironically, this match between Celtic and Pirates will serve as a precursor for the first round of the Telkom Knockout, which takes place the following weekend as they were also drawn to face each other.

In response to that Krol joked, “At least we won’t have to send a scout to watch them. We will have a good idea how they play.”

Da Gama, on the other hand, seemed a little more serious, “It is important we get a win over Pirates this weekend and that will give us the edge when we face them in the Telkom Knockout.”

There you have it. A lot lies on the line and a win for either side could prove to be the difference when they face each other the following weekend.