DUNDEE UNITED striker Mario Bilate admits he is not frightened of Celtic before tomorrow’s Scottish Cup crunch at Tannadice.
The Russian-born Dutchman thinks the Tayside outfit said: “They are not invincible. I don’t think we should pay too much attention to Celtic because we should be focusing on what we can do.
“If we play to our capabilities and show our quality then we are capable of beating them. We beat Celtic 2-1 at home in December so why can’t we beat them again? We can take plenty from the previous win and that is proof we can do it.
“We have the quality and we need to realise that. If we are at the top of our game, then we can win.”
Bilate also looked ahead to the League Cup Final against Ronny Deila’s team at Hampden a week tomorrow. He added: “The last few games haven’t been as good as we expected so I can understand the reaction from the fans. Every team has a dip at some point during the season and I think that’s what has happened to us lately.
“But we know how big the next few games could be and everyone is focused. I believe this team has the ability to win these matches against Celtic and hopefully in a week or so I will have my first prize as a professional footballer.”
MEANWHILE Neil Lennon is ready to throw a lifeline to former Celtic wonderkid Islam Feruz.
The ex-Scotland Under-21 striker, who quit the Hoops in controversial circumstances in 2011 to join Chelsea, hopes to get fixed up with a new club for the rest of the season.
Feruz, 19, was poised to join Russian Second Division outfit Krylia Sovetov at the start of the campaign on a temporary transfer from Stamford Bridge.
The deal was agreed, but, remarkably, the 19-year-old scrapped the contract after only 24 hours to return to Jose Mourinho’s side. He said he was not ready for such a “dramatic change in my life.”
Instead, he agreed a short-term deal with Greek Premier League team OFI Crete, managed by ex-Rangers midfielder Rino Gattuso. The contract wasn’t extended when it expired at the turn of the year.
Similarly, he failed to make an impact at Blackpool when he joined them in a loan move in January. Originally, he was expected to remain with the Seasiders until the end of the campaign, but that was scrapped after only two games.
Feruz is now in soccer limbo, but Lennon, who was impressed by the youngster during his stint as youth coach at Parkhead, could take him to Bolton on an emergency contract.
The Championship side urgently require a new attacker after an injury to Zac Clough ruled him out for the remainder of the term.
Neil Lennon could get round red tape by offering Feruz a youth loan contract, although you have to wonder if this guy is worth the effort.
