Terry Butcher has lauded Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s weekend opponents Celtic, but says all the pressure is on Neil Lennon’s team to win this weekend.

Caley went down 2-0 to Celtic when they met on Scottish Cup business at the weekend, the third time this season the Glasgow club have recorded that result against their Highland opponents.

The two sides go head-to-head again on league business this weekend and Butcher concedes his team are coming up against formidable opponents.

“Celtic, without doubt, are the best team in Scotland,” he said. “They've certainly got the best squad in Scotland.

“They are scoring goals and winning games. They are steamrolling everybody.

“We have to make sure we're not part of a demolition job. We generally give Celtic a good game. They have to work hard to beat us.

“They didn't work particularly hard last week when we gave them two goals. But they still had to work hard in the game to hold that lead and make sure we didn't come back into it.”

Inverness’ last visit to Celtic Park in September saw them put on a gutsy showing, with Gregory Tade and Richie Foran both going close to getting them on the scoresheet.

“In that match at Parkhead, we played pretty well,” said the Inverness boss. “Celtic scored two breakaway goals when we were having set plays at the other end.

“They were 2-0 up at half-time but we still made good chances in that game and we passed the ball very well.

“Celtic Park is a lovely surface and has a great atmosphere. You do get time to play and opportunities to get on the ball.

“We've got make the most of those opportunities. We've got nothing to fear.

“All the pressure will be on them to continue their run. All the pressure will be on them to get three points.”

Defeat to Celtic last weekend was Inverness’ first loss in eight matches and Butcher is backing his team to recover immediately.

“To be fair to the players, they've certainly bounced back very well,” he said. “We had a good heart-to-heart at the start of the week, watched the DVD and then went back to training.

“If we do have a bad result, we do bounce back very well. I'm looking for the boys to do that this week.”