CAMERON Bell has vowed to make the most of his chance against Celtic today and show manager Jim Jefferies he is good enough to hold on to the gloves.
The Kilmarnock goalkeeper will be pitched into the Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash at Parkhead with on-loan Celtic goalkeeper Mark Brown unable to face his employers.
Bell admits he was disappointed when Jefferies recruited Brown in the summe
r after first-choice goalkeeper Alan Combe was ruled out for several months through injury, but the 23-year-old sees this game as the ideal opportunity to stake a claim for a regular start.
"The manager pulled me aside and told me he had a chance to bring someone in with experience, which I understand," he said.
"It was frustrating for me, but you just have to get on with it, work hard and show the manager that you can do a job for a him. That's all I can do at the moment.
"I was disappointed when I got dropped, but these things happen and you just need to get on with it.
"This is a great chance for me. It's a big stage playing at Parkhead. I'm looking forward to getting back in the team and hopefully I can do myself justice and play well and keep myself in the team."
Bell has played just two first-team games this term, but insisted: "I feel fine, I've been playing in reserve matches. I've kept my head down and worked hard in training and in the reserves games. Hopefully everything goes well on Saturday."
Celtic have endured an unconvincing start to the season, especially at home where they have won just two games in nine attempts. But Bell refused to read too much into the SPL leaders' problems.
"They have gone through a sticky patch, but Celtic are a good team, with good players," he said. "They have been creating chances and maybe just haven't had the break they've been looking for.
"We just need to go there and concentrate on ourselves and try to pick up some points. I'm sure the crowd will be on top of them if things don't go their way, but it's the same with every crowd if things aren't happening for the team.
"I'm sure their players will be able to handle that no problem so we just have to keep at them and try to get the result. We always go into the games thinking we can take points; you never go to Parkhead thinking you are going to lose the game otherwise there is no point turning up."
