I rarely make predictions, but I just have a wee sneaky feeling for 6-0 to the Celts. Dundee United defender Gavin Gunning is available after a two-match suspension. But midfielder Ryan Dow is struggling with a groin problem and defender Calum Butcher picked up a dead leg in the midweek League Cup win at Dumbarton. Celtic completed the signing of Nir Biton on Friday but the Israeli is unlikely to feature at Tannadice. Manager Neil Lennon may rest a few players after the Champions League heorics against Shakhter Karagandy on Wednesday. Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara: "It will be a hard game for us. They're very confident from the result the other night and they'll be wanting to stay that way and make sure they impress their manager to be in the Champions league games. "Concentration is massive, it's so important when you're playing against the best players. You switch off for one set-piece or one moment in a game and the ball is in the back of the net so it's important to do that for 90 minutes. "In general play at times we are still a wee bit nervy in possession, a bit negative at times. "But the important thing is we are improving all the time and getting better. We're looking more and more like a team rather than individuals." Celtic manager Neil Lennon: "It's one thing I would like to improve on; results after Champions League games. "We were 2-0 down at the weekend (at home to Inverness CT) but fought back to get a great point. "I think that will be a significant point in the longer term because it shows the players still have the energy to keep going, despite all of their efforts in Kazahkstan a few days earlier. "Thankfully, the squad looks healthier and that will stand us in good stead."
Celtic team to face Dundee United: Forster; Lustig, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Matthews, Brown, Ledley, Boerrigter; Commons, Stokes Hmm, fancy goals today.
[video=youtube;dLckPewNW-U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLckPewNW-U[/video] The direct route when Balde came on was quite effective. Virgil looks like the player Gary Caldwell thought he was. Timmy Ocean was steady again....
Yup. I'm not advocating him being sent off for lashing out in the first half, but he needs to be neutered or something to calm him down a bit.
I hate to say I told you so but I liked the look of Virgil in the away leg to Shakter. Reminds of a lot of Paul Elliot style wise, and although he - like Elliot- may take time to bed in properly, if he's half as good as Elliot turned out then he'll do for me. He does have a better shot than Paul though, always nice to have another free kick taker.
