Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin insists that he has one eye on St Mirren clash on Saturday as his side face their most ‘difficult game’ of the season at Celtic Park tomorrow evening…
It was only a fortnight ago Dundee United sealed an admirable 0-0 draw against a much-depleted Celtic side who were dealing with illness and injury. Since then, the Tangerines had won three Scottish Premiership matches on the trot including a 2-1 victory in the Dundee Derby at Dens Park last Thursday.
However, a surprising 1-0 loss at home to Neil Critchley’s underperforming Hearts was only a second defeat in 11 games for Goodwin’s impressive newly promoted side.
Dundee United now ahead of Aberdeen in table
Coupled with consistent victories and the downfall of Aberdeen over the past two months, Dundee United have propelled themselves to third place in the table on 34 points after 21 games played.
Now, the former Celtic defender will take his side to Paradise for the first time this season. The Irishman isn’t weaving the white flag but admits he may have one eye on their encounter with St Mirren at Paisley on Saturday.
Goodwin said: “Going to Parkhead is probably the most difficult game we could have, with Celtic in the form they are in. They had a great result against St Mirren on Sunday, and we need to try to make sure the players are recovered and ready.
“We have a number of players carrying knocks and niggles, so we’ll see what kind of team we have available to us on Wednesday –- and we’ll definitely have one eye on the game on Saturday against St Mirren,” Goodwin explained, as reported in The Courier. “It’s about getting the balance right; putting a team on the park on Wednesday that’s competitive enough and capable of getting a result and leaving enough in the tank for that quick turnaround for St Mirren.”
Despite being only one of three domestic teams to take anything off the three-in-a-row Scottish champions this season, the Dundee United boss is expecting a different test to the one they faced at Tannadice over two weeks ago.
‘Celtic will dominate possession’
“Celtic at Parkhead is slightly different to Celtic away from home,” Goodwin explained. “However, I thought the overall performance here at Tannadice was very good without the ball. We recognise that Celtic will dominate possession on Wednesday — they have done in every game at home — and the shape, discipline and concentration levels will need to be sky high because we know they can cut you open.
“We need to make sure those distances are right, then get pace in the team so we can carry a threat on the counterattack.”
So another parked bus approach awaits Celtic tomorrow night and that will give the support the chance to follow the manager’s request to cut out the moans as groans as the team builds the play against a very well organised sit sitting in with their low block. That’s going to be an interesting wee sideshow but the most important thing is the three points.
Conor Spence
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