Celtic v Dundee United – Team news, referee details, KO time & where to watch | OneFootball

Celtic face Dundee United this evening in the Scottish Premiership as Brendan Rodgers’ side looks to pick up three points against the Tannadice side’s parked bus…

Nicolas Kuhn celebrates with teammate Arne Engels after scoring his team’s third goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Scottish Champions were held by Jim Goodwin’s team in their first meeting of the season when the two sides met after the Premier Sports Cup final , with Celtic forced into making several changes.

Brendan Rodgers’ team will be looking to maintain their advantage and maybe even extend their lead at the top of the table on another full night of Premiership action. Celtic face United while theRangers face their city rivals Dundee at Dens Park.

On the visitors Brendan Rodgers was asked for his impression of Dundee United’s season so far: “Very good. You see where they sit in the league. They clearly are getting results and performances and doing very, very well.

“They made it very difficult for us up there. It was difficult conditions and everything else, but still we could not make the breakthrough that day. But I would like to think this will be a totally different game. Playing at home, availability of players, good performance at the weekend and now look to back it up.”

Celtic Team News

Brendan Rodgers will be without James Forrest but the rest of the squad is fit and available for selection.  Squad rotation is a necessity in a month where Celtic have such a hectic fixture schedule, so expect a few changes from the side that started against St Mirren.

In goals, Kasper Schmeichel will start as usual. The Great Dane has kept 16 clean sheets in 20 Premiership matches since arriving at the club. He will be looking to add to that this evening.

In defence, expect the same back four that started against St Mirren with Alistair Johnston continuing at right back, the American Bhoys Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty – who got his first Celtic goal at the weekend  – at centre back with man of the moment Greg Taylor at left back.

Greg Taylor and Callum McGregor with the Premier Sports Cup. Photo Kenny Ramsay

Taylor has been the subject of a media storm after he went up the tunnel to seek medical attention after receiving a burst nose on Sunday. Celtic fans will be hopeful that he can agree a new deal. That should not really have any impact on whether Celtic sign another left-back in this window, whether it’s Kieran Tierney or someone else.

At the moment Celtic has two left backs – one on loan from Barcelona for the season with no option to buy and the other free to speak to other clubs as his contract expires at the end of the season and there’s been no progress reported on this stalemate for many months.

Captain Callum McGregor will likely lead the team in the middle of the park with Arne Engels and Reo Hatate. The manager will be likely use Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan as well and it would expected that they’ll come on around the 60 minute mark, all being well.

Kyogo will likely return to the starting XI despite Adam Idah being given the nod at the weekend. The Irishman’s compatriot Johnny Kenny has returned to the club from Shamrock Rovers and will be looking for a place on the bench. Daizen Maeda and Nicolas Kühn will likely start out wide. Yang is likely to get half an hour in the second half.

Predicted Celtic Team

Match Officials

The SFA have confirmed that Kevin Clancy will take charge of the meeting between the Premiership leaders and 4th place side. The 41-year-old will be assisted by Graeme Stewart and Colin Drummond.

Meanwhile at Clydesdale House, Steven McLean is on VAR with Alan Mulvanny assisting. McLean took charge of the Dundee Derby earlier this month in which Goodwin’s side emerged 2-1 winners.

Clancy has taken charge of three Celtic games this season – the 3-1 win over Hibs in the Premier Sports Cup, the 2-1 away win against Ross County and the 6-0 Premier Sports Cup thrashing of Aberdeen, which burst the Dons bubble.

Kick Off Time

The game kicks off at 7:45pm (Celtic Park Time).

Where to Watch

There are still tickets available for the game after it went on General Sale during the week. These can be purchased online only via the official Celtic website.

Greg Taylor is seen during a power failure the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on January 05, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic have confirmed that there will be PPV available for the game. However, after the technical difficulties caused by the power cut in the Parkhead area, the club are offering the PPV for £5.99, a 50% discount for supporters that can’t make it to the game. Celtic TV subscribers in the UK and Ireland will receive a discounted rate of £4.99, which will be automatically applied at checkout.

Predicted Score

A tough night against a resolutely defensive outfit marshalled by Jim Goodwin who relishes the parked bus challenge against Celtic. However Celtic will get the breakthrough, maybe through Kyogo and that will be enough to win the three points with a narrow 1-0 win.

COYBIG

Alec McNair – Celtic’s Icicle. Available from Celticstarbooks.com

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