Writer: Vital Arabs 
Date:Tuesday January 22 2013
Time: 11:49AM
Dundee United have players returning for their visit to leaders Celtic later this evening.
Midfielders Stuart Armstrong (family illness) and Richie Ryan (hamstring) are both back in contention after missing their weekend
3-2 victory at Kilmarnock.
Meanwhile, central defender Brian McLean also returns from a three-match suspension following his recent sending-off against St Mirren.
"It's another big test," manager Peter Houston told BBC Scotland. "It will be a case of when we get the ball we have to keep it as much as possible.
"Ball retention is always important against a quality side like Celtic and it will be the same for this game," he added. "I'm sure that if we pass the ball like we can, we can do well."
Celtic are likely to again be without goalkeeper Fraser Forster due to a neck injury. There are also absences in the middle of defence with Efe Ambrose on African Nations Cup duty and Kelvin Wilson suspended.
United reject Russell bid (Saturday May 25 2013)
Striker agrees Rangers switch (Friday May 24 2013)
Big demand for United striker (Friday May 24 2013)
Big ambition from striker (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Signing delights McNamara (Sunday May 19 2013)
Skipper heads off to Rangers (Sunday May 19 2013)
Tangerines close with defeat (Sunday May 19 2013)
Stats: Dundee United v Celtic (Sunday May 19 2013)
Striker joins United (Sunday May 19 2013)
Tangerines take on champions (Friday May 17 2013)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Dundee United | 0 | - | 4 | Celtic |
| Inverness | 1 | - | 2 | Dundee United |
| Dundee United | 0 | - | 1 | St. Johnstone |
| Ross County | 1 | - | 0 | Dundee United |
| Dundee United | 1 | - | 3 | Motherwell |
| Dundee United | 1 | - | 0 | Aberdeen |
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 5. Ross County | 38 | 13 | 14 | 11 | -1 | 53 |
| 6. Hibernian | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | -3 | 51 |
| 7. Aberdeen | 38 | 11 | 15 | 12 | -2 | 48 |
| 8. Dundee United | 38 | 11 | 14 | 13 | -11 | 47 |
| 9. Kilmarnock | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | -1 | 45 |
| 10. Hearts | 38 | 11 | 11 | 16 | -9 | 44 |
| 11. St. Mirren | 38 | 9 | 14 | 15 | -13 | 41 |
| United reject Russell bid
» Dundee United : 25/05/2013 13:17:00
|
| Celtic aim for double delight
» Celtic : 24/05/2013 22:22:00
|
| Lennon wants levels maintained
» Celtic : 24/05/2013 22:05:00
|
| Lennon tries to reverse decision
» Celtic : 24/05/2013 21:55:00
|
| Striker agrees Rangers switch
» Dundee United : 24/05/2013 16:56:00
|
| Celtic defender out of final
» Celtic : 24/05/2013 16:16:00
|
| Striker keen to stoke up atmosphere
» Celtic : 24/05/2013 15:59:00
|