Dundee United v Celtic

Dundee United will searching for a third successive victory against SPL leaders Celtic at midday after an early morning pitch inspection from the referee passed the surface as playable at Tannadice. The hosts have recently managed to end a succession of draws and prior to that postponements by scoring three times against both Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Cup and Hibernian in the league. But they will be coming up against a side in form with nine victories in their last eleven games and who are currently unbeaten in fifteen.

"Games against the Old Firm at Tannadice have been exciting in recent seasons," Dundee United manager Peter Houston told BBC Scotland. "We lost to them with a last-minute goal when they came here earlier in the season and we scored one very late on down at Parkhead."

"On paper this is a crucial period for us," manager Neil Lennon told Celtic's official website. "Nothing has been decided yet and these are the games players should relish. I think from here on in the atmosphere will be cracking. We`re hoping to feed off that and keep showing the form we`ve shown in recent weeks."

Dundee United will be missing skipper Jon Daly, who is suspended and expected to be replaced by Johnny Russell. Danny Swanson is also set to come into contention, but defensive trio Mihael Kovacevic, Darren Dods and Scott Severin are still unavailable.
Dundee United (from): Pernis, Dillon, Kenneth, Van der Meulen, Watson, Douglas, Swanson, Gomis, Conway, Buaben, Armstrong, S. Robertson, D. Robertson, Conway, Goodwillie, Russell, Banks, Dow

A big performance will be required from the Terrors' current top scorer.

Celtic were waiting on the fitness of their captain Scott Brown after he suffered a slight groin problem during Scotland's midweek pre-match warm-up. Norwegian defender Thomas Rogne and teenage forward James Forrest were hoping for recalls but Dutch centre-back Glenn Loovens is once again doubtful with a virus.
Celtic (from): Forster, Wilson, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Brown, Ledley, Kayal, Samaras, Ki, Commons, Zaluska, Hooper, Carey, Loovens, Stokes, McGinn, McCourt, Forrest, Rogne, Ljungberg

Enjoying a very successful first season at Celtic since arriving from Scunthorpe United in the English Championship over the summer.

Dundee United enter the contest chasing a third straight victory after wins over Hibernian in the league and Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Cup. Celtic are now unbeaten in fifteen games but saw their lead at the top of the SPL table cut to only two points by neighbours Rangers yesterday.

Dundee United - Hamilton (H); Celtic - Rangers (H)

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