CELTIC return to Tannadice this evening for the third time in an encounter that requires only one point to make sure the Premiership title is sealed to cap a truly extraordinary campaign.
Ange Postecoglou and his triumphant team may even view a trip to Tayside as one of their favourite destinations following two 3-0 successes at the venue already this season in the march towards their club’s tenth crown in 11 years.
The manager and the players will remain focused on the job at hand on this occasion where they go into the confrontation six points ahead and with an overwhelming goal difference superiority of twenty over their nearest challengers. One fixture remains after tonight’s action – the visit of Motherwell for the 12.15pm appointment in Paradise on Saturday where the flags will be flying.
NET PROFITS…David Turnbull is congratulated by Mikey Johnston after netting the second goal in the 3-0 win at Tannadice in December.
Here are the Hoops strikes from the previous two engagements in the city famous for its jam, jute, journalism…and goals.
On a crisp and sunny Sunday afternoon on December 5 last year, Celtic were trailing in the league when they went head to head with a United team who had taken a point in a 1-1 draw in the east end of Glasgow on September 26.
There was no banana skin on this occasion as the visitors strolled to a three-goal triumph with Tom Rogic waltzing through to tuck away the opening goal and David Turnbull adding a second before the interval.
It was all over long before Liam Scales joined the attack to fire No.3 behind the overworked Benjamin Siegrist.
On a grim and typical Monday evening in March on the fourteenth of a chilly month, Celtic were back at Tannadice for a Scottish Cup quarter-final meeting.
Once again, the Hoops took an early lead when Callum McGregor’s low drive took a slight deflection on its way into the net in the 12th minute. Just before the hour mark, Giorgos Giakoumakis displayed electrifying reflexes to pounce on a fumble from the unfortunate Siegrist.
And the Greek powerhouse showed no mercy two minutes from time when he acrobatically turned an effort from substitute Karamoko Dembele over the line from close range to complete the joy of six at a happy hunting ground for the Hoops.
NUMBER ONE…Tom Rogic, watched by Kyogo Furuhashi, cracks in the opener in the 3-0 Premiership victory in December with ex-Celt Charlie Mulgrew too late to intervene.
NUMBER TWO…David Turnbull is about to apply the finish touch as keeper Benjamin Siegrist and his defenders can only look on in dismay.
NUMBER THREE…Liam Scales is about to be congratulated by Liel Abada after leaving Siegrist helpless for the final say.
TRIUMPHANT ON TAYSIDE…Ange Postecoglou acknowledges the fans at the end of the 3-0 demolition job.
NUMBER ONE…Callum McGregor is out of the picture, but his 12th minute drive is on its way past Siegrist for the opener in the Scottish Cup clash in March.
NUMBER TWO…Giorgos Giakoumakis is congratulated by Greg Taylor and Daizen Maeda while Siegrist again decides to sit this one out.
NUMBER THREE…Giakoumakis clips the ball over the grounded keeper with defender Callum Butcher too late to prevent the ball going over the line.
TRIUMPHANT ON TAYSIDE…Ange Postecoglou celebrates with the travelling support at the end. It’s a gesture he hopes to repeat tonight.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report and the best action images from Dundee United v Celtic this evening – only in your champion CQN.
