“There is no doubt Ange has massively transformed the way Celtic play,” David Martindale

Dundee United travel through to West Lothian on Wednesday night to try and pick up the pieces after that 9-0 thrashing from Celtic at Tannadice yesterday afternoon. And that result according to David Martindale is going to make things much tougher for his side as they look to progress in the League Cup.

Livingston v Celtic – cinch Premiership – Tony Macaroni Arena Celtic s James McCarthy left in action during the cinch Premiership match at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Livingston. Picture date: Sunday September 19, 2021. Photo Andrew Milligan

The Livingston manager outlined his thoughts on the impact that that result could have on his own match against the Tangerines and also spoke in glowing terms about the job Ange Postecoglou has done at Celtic, the quality of signings he has made and the ground-breaking tactics that will he believes result in other teams joining Dundee United on being on the wrong side of a hammering from the Scottish Champions.

Livingston v Celtic – cinch Premiership – Tony Macaroni Arena Livingston manager David Martindale right celebrates with players after the final whistle during the cinch Premiership match at the Tony Macaroni Arena, Livingston. Sunday September 19, 2021. Photo Andrew Milligan

“That will not be the last time Celtic do that to teams,” Martindale told Press Association, as reported by bt.com. “Dundee United will be coming here with a point to prove, and that will make our job even more difficult. I know some of their players, I know the coaching staff, and there is no way on earth they are going to take that lying down. It’s going to make our job very, very difficult.

“If I’m honest, I’d rather Dundee United were coming here with a wee bit of complacency, which will definitely not be the case. But I don’t think Dundee United will be the last team that Celtic do something very, very similar to this season,” the Livingston manager revealed.

“I think they are deploying tactics that some teams have maybe not picked up on as yet, but there is no doubt Ange has massively transformed the way Celtic play. Their recruitment has been very, very good, Ange has proven to be a very shrewd signing, and they are a top, top team,” Martindale added.

The Livi boss also revealed that he’s looking forward to the two Scottish clubs participating in the Champions league this season and highlights two games, Celtic, the Champions of Scotland taking on Real Madrid, the Champions of Europe and theRangers, the cinch Premiership runners-up taking on the beaten Champions League finalists Liverpool.

“I’m really looking forward to Celtic-Real Madrid, (the)Rangers-Liverpool, watching our top teams play against Europe’s top teams. I’m really, really excited about that and really looking forward to seeing how Ange does against Real Madrid. I think he will have a go,” Martindale reckons.

“Massive credit to Celtic and Ange, and if I was Dundee United, I wouldn’t read too much into it because I don’t think they will be the last team that Celtic put six, seven, eight, nine past.”

Martindale of course was the last manager to defeat Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic side in September last year.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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