Celtic and Dundee United meet at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon as Martin O’Neill returns to the dugout to begin his second interim spell at the club, looking to arrest their recent decline in the Scottish Premiership.
Celtic vs Dundee United – Match preview and team news
- Date: Saturday, 10th January.
- Kick-off: 3pm BST.
- Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow.
Celtic team news
Celtic have suffered a significant injury blow with six players sidelined ahead of Saturday’s clash. Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi remain unavailable.
However, manager Martin O’Neill has welcomed the return of Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha to the squad following their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations with Tunisia and DR Congo respectively, with both nations’ tournaments concluding.
Speaking at his first press conference following his return, O’Neill emphasised the need for reinforcements in January, stating: “We definitely need to bolster the roster. Absolutely no doubt about that”.
The 73-year-old has tasked his coaching staff, including Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham, with identifying targets to strengthen the squad as Celtic chase the Scottish Premiership title.
Dundee United team news
Dundee United will continue to be without several key players for the trip to Glasgow. Isaac Pappoe, Ryan Strain and first-choice goalkeeper Yevhenii Kucherenko remain sidelined with injury.
In the absence of Kucherenko, Dave Richards will start in goal for the ninth successive league game. Club captain Ross Graham was only a second-half substitute during the Tayside Derby defeat but is expected to return to the starting XI.
Form
Celtic
Martin O’Neill arrives back at the club following a chaotic period under Wilfried Nancy, who was sacked just 33 days after his appointment having won only two of eight matches.
Celtic’s most recent outing saw them suffer a humbling 3-1 defeat away to Rangers, with the Gers coming from behind to secure the victory. Celtic currently sit third in the table with 38 points in 20 matches.
Dundee United
Dundee United’s recent form tells a troubling story as they look to climb the Scottish Premiership table. The Tangerines saw their five-game unbeaten run ended by city rivals Dundee in the Tayside Derby, suffering a 1-0 defeat at home on January 2. Ashley Hay’s clinical finish on the stroke of half-time proved decisive in what was otherwise a competitive encounter.
Predicted lineups
Celtic: Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; McCowan, Hyun-Jun, Maeda.
Dundee United: Richards; Iovu, Keresztes, Graham; Camara, Sibbald, Stephenson, Ferry; Sapsford, Fatah, Watters.
How to watch Celtic vs Dundee United?
UK viewers can watch Celtic vs Dundee United on Celtic TV, available via subscription on the official Celtic FC website, providing live coverage.
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