Former Rangers player, Glenn Middleton, insists Dundee United are not about to roll out the red carpet for a Celtic title party this Saturday, as the Tannadice club chase European football of their own.
Celtic travel to the City of Discovery knowing a point will seal their fourth consecutive Premiership crown. Around 4,000 Hoops supporters are expected to make the trip, hoping to witness the moment Brendan Rodgers’ side crosses the finish line. But standing in their way is a United side who’ve shown resilience under Jim Goodwin this term, and Middleton is adamant they won’t simply make up the numbers.
“Yes. Definitely. It is shaping up to be a brilliant game in terms of what they are fighting for. We are fighting for something as well—to finish in those European spots,” the former Rangers winger told RecordSport.
Dundee United’s campaign has been a story of progress, and the incentive of a return to continental competition is fuelling belief inside the home dressing room.
“There will be no case of us not going for that on Saturday. A party atmosphere? Definitely. Our fans will be doing the exact same because they’ve got a team that have everything still to play for this season.”
Celtic, though, are on the cusp of wrapping up the league after a powerful domestic campaign. Despite a shock defeat to bottom-placed St Johnstone in recent weeks, Rodgers’ side have shown their depth and quality across the season. Key players like Callum McGregor, Daizen Maeda, and Reo Hatate have kept the tempo high in the run-in.
Middleton acknowledges the scale of the task ahead: “Everyone knows the quality and the strength in depth Celtic have in their squad and how good they are when they are on their game. But the manager has always had us in a mind frame and a game plan to go into games and give as good an account as possible and Saturday will be no different.”
With both teams highly motivated and much at stake, Saturday’s lunch-time kick-off promises drama. Celtic seek the crowning moment of another dominant season, but Dundee United are just as determined to keep the champagne on ice.
