Kick-off is fast approaching as Celtic take on Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership tonight with three important points at stake in Glasgow’s east end.
Parkhead is set for sub-zero temperatures during tonight’s match, and fans are urged to wrap up as the Met Office predicts lows of -2°C heading into the second half.
Celtic fans will be hoping the Scottish Premiership table reads -16 at full-time. Excluding a rather pathetic attempt at humour, the Bhoys know they can extend their lead at the summit to 16 points with a victory as Rangers take on Dundee tomorrow night at Dens Park.
Despite the simplicity of theories, Brendan Rodgers praised Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin for the job his compatriot has done at Tannadice, referencing last month’s 0-0 draw at Tannadice as an example of why his side are in for a game tonight with the league leaders playing host to third place.
Nevertheless, Celtic are the most feared outfit in the top-flight and Jort van der Sande has delved into why the champions have been such a tough nut to crack for other domestic teams this season
Jort van der Sande on Dundee Utd’s approach against Celtic
Speaking to The Courier, Dundee United forward Van der Sande admitted Celtic Park is a destination other Scottish Premiership clubs are ‘not likely’ to claim points from.
Regardless, the Bonaire international has laid out ambitions that his outfit can frustrate the Bhoys tonight on their own patch by adopting a steely approach.
He stated: “When you go to Celtic Park, you know it’s going to be a difficult match. It’s a game where you are not likely to get points – but we can take a lot of confidence from how we played here (at home) against them, getting a 0-0 draw.
“There’s no reason to go there with another attitude.Every team, other than maybe Rangers, goes to Celtic Park with the idea of being defensively at their best.
“And if we are really good defensively, and create chances on the break, then there is no reason why we cannot think about getting at least a point.”
Omens balance in Celtic’s favour ahead of Dundee Utd visit
Intriguingly, the Hoops haven’t lost to Dundee United in their last 20 meetings across all competitions, with the last slip-up against the Tangerines coming in a 2-1 defeat during 2014/15.
The visitors are also two matches shy of going a half-century of matches without a single win at Parkhead, stacking the odds firmly in Celtic’s favour.
Complacency shouldn’t be something that Rodgers and his side become susceptible to despite any historical points of reference. Dundee United are third on merit and are set to provide another stiff test to contend with.
