Celtic confirmed starting XI vs Dundee United: 2 changes as forgotten striker brought out of cold storage
Martin O’Neill has named his starting line-up to face Dundee United in their latest Scottish Premiership clash at Tannadice Park
Martin O’Neill has named his Celtic starting XI to face Dundee United in this afternoon’s Scottish Premiership clash at Tannadice Park (KO: 12.30pm BST).
The Hoops head into the final game before the international break looking to keep tabs on league leaders Hearts and Rangers, who both recorded victories on Saturday.
Celtic’s previous visit to the home of the Tangerines turned into a nightmare of epic proportions under Wilfried Nancy in December, but the reigning champions are in much better shape now since club legend O’Neill returned for a third spell in the dugout.
Team news: Two changes, forgotten striker makes first start in over three months
O’Neill has made TWO changes to his Celtic team from the side that defeated Motherwell 3-1 at Parkhead last weekend.
Skipper Callum McGregor is passed fit to start in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield after recovering from a calf strain, while forgotten striker Kelechi Iheanacho is handed his first competitive start in more than THREE months.
Sebastian Tounekti drops to the bench, as a result. Tomas Cvancara and Paulo Bernardo miss out altogether.
What has Benjamin Arthur said pre-match?
On loan Brentford centre-back Benjamin Arthur has put much of his recent success down to the input of interim manager Martin O’Neill since he broke into the first-team.
“He’s a great guy, a great personality and he’s guided me really well.
“He’s a great leader, he communicates what he wants on the pitch, and I just try and listen as much as I can and learn as much as I can from him.
“Everyone knows there’s a lot of pressure and everyone as a whole is really set towards the right things. The boys are just focused on winning really, game by game.”
Here's your confirmed starting XI’s ahead of today’s crunch league encounter in the City of Discovery...
Dundee United XI:
Ashley Maynard-Brewer; Iurie Iovu, Vicko Sevelj, Ross Graham (C), Will Ferry, Emmanuel Agyei, Amar Fatah, Neil Farrugia, Luca Stephenson, Krisztián Kerestztes, Max Watters.
SUBS: Dave Richards (GK), Ryan Strain, Pantuche Camara, Zac Sapsford, Bert Esselink, Craig Sibbald, Ivan Dolcek, Dario Naamo, Sam Cleall-Harding.
Celtic XI:
Viljami Sinisalo; Colby Donovan, Benjamin Arthur, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney, Callum McGregor (C), Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren, Yang Hyun-jun, Daizen Maeda, Kelechi Iheanacho.