Hoops Eye Title at Tannadice

Hoops Eye Title At Tannadice
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Flying High: Giorgos Giakoumakis celebrates scoring against Hearts at the weekend


Tannadice Stadium, Dundee
Wednesday, 11 May 2022
19.30 GMT​

Celtic travel to Tayside needing just a solitary point to clinch the Premiership title for the 10th time in 11 seasons, when they line up against Dundee United on Wednesday evening.

While any sort of result will seal the deal for the Bhoys, no doubt Ange Postecoglou and the fans will be looking for an emphatic performance from the Champions-elect, that will really put the cherry on top of what has been a remarkable turnaround this season by a completely rebuilt Celtic team.

In years to come when people reflect back on this season, it will be about the sheer scale of the turnaround that has happened under the stewardship of Postecoglou, especially when considering the conditions that awaited upon his arrival. The Howe fiasco, derision from the media and some quarters of the wider footballing community upon Ange's confirmation, an unstable Chief Executive backdrop and a slew of players either wanting away or needing replaced.

To think that now, on the back of 30 games undefeated and a 12 point turnaround in less than 4 months and being able to maintain that form, turning a 6 point deficit at the winter break into a 6 point advantage now cannot be understated.

With a team revitalized with a slew of new signings, pressed to quickly adapt and find a chemistry with each other as well as understand the manager's system, and a brand of football that has energized and entertained in equal measure, it truly is a remarkable achievement by the players and the management team lead by Postecoglou.


Postecoglou on the verge of a League & League Cup Double in his first season

Clinching the title at Tannadice against United will lay the perfect platform for the trophy presentation and party for the visit of Motherwell on the last day of the season at Parkhead.

But the job is not done yet. And no doubt that is the message that the boss will be conveying to his players ahead of tomorrow night's clash.

While Celtic's sights are firmly set on clinching the title tomorrow night, the hosts still have plenty to play for also, as they look to secure European football for next season.

And while United have a slender 1 point advantage over Motherwell and hold a 3 point gap to Ross County, nothing is certain just yet with things so tight. Two of the three will be in the Europa Conference League third and second rounds for the teams that finish in 4th and 5th respectively.

With the finish line in sight it's all the more important that Postecoglou's mantra - 'We never stop!' is maintained, right to the very end. If they stick to that philosophy, by this time tomorrow Celtic will be Champions for the 52nd time!

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Stats & Facts
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• The Hoops are undefeated in 30 League games since September (W25 & D5).

• Celtic have won five of their last aix League visits to Tannadice, keeping a clean sheet in each of their last three.

• Should Celtic win on Wednesday, it will be the first time that the Hoops will have recorded 14 League wins on the road since 2016/17.

• Celtic have scored 35 goals in the first 30 minutes of League games this campaign. In that same time period, United have scored just eight.

• United are still in a battle to secure European Football next year. With 2 games remaining, they are currently in 4th place, one point ahead of Motherwell and three clear of Ross County.

Tom Rogic's wizardry at Tannadice in December was crowned SPFA Goal of the Season

Team News

For Celtic, the only major absentee from the squad remains Josip Juranovic, while David Turnbull will be hoping for another start, following on from the start against Hearts at the weekend - the first since December.

For the home side, on the other hand have a number of issues to contend with, with no fewer than 4 players being ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury, including Maxime Biamou (thigh), Marc McNulty (knee), Ian Harkes (leg) and Peter Pawlett (Achilles), in addition to Callum Butcher's personal issues keeping him away also.

Teenager Matthew Cudjoe, who made his debut at the weekend, will be hoping to make another appearance tomorrow, while manager Tam Courts will also need to make some tough calls between Scott McMann and Adrian Sporle at fullback, and Archie Meekison and Kevin McDonald in the midfield engine room.



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 217 W: 128 D: 53 L: 36​

Last 5 Meetings
W W W D D

~~~~ 2021/22 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
W D W L W ~ L W L D D

SPFL
W D W W W ~ L W L D D

CEL Away ~ DUT Home
W W W W D ~ W L D L D​