Dundee United boss Jim Goodwin has previewed Saturday’s game against Celtic at Tannadice, where the Hoops can win a 55th league title with a positive result. However, the Irishman is desperate to spoil Celtic’s potential title party.
United go into the game in respectable form, with three wins from their last four—including victories against Ross County, Hearts away, and St Johnstone at home last time out—leading to Goodwin being confident they can do the seemingly impossible and delay Celtic’s title party by at least a week.
Celtic did draw 0-0 against Dundee United at Tannadice back in December, and a repeat of that result would be enough to secure the league title. However, Goodwin is aiming for a shock win on Saturday afternoon.
He said: (Dundee United FC YouTube), “I think it’s only natural that in the build-up to this game, given what’s at stake for Celtic—being able to wrap up the league title—you would imagine all of the press attention and the media attention will be on them.
“But it’s our job as the opposition to try and make life as difficult as possible.
“If that means trying to delay those celebrations for the Celtic fans by another week, then we would be absolutely delighted with that.
“Our last game against Celtic at Tannadice was a really good, positive performance from us where we were able to take a really valuable point. So, we have to maintain the high standards that we’ve shown recently.”
Goodwin sounds more than up for the game, however he’s coming up against a Celtic side that has scored 10 goals in their last two games, with only a freak goal conceded against Kilmarnock. The Hoops look back to their blistering best—and that will surely be a concern for the Irishman.
Celtic know what they have to do on Saturday: simply win or draw, and the title is theirs. However, Brendan Rodgers will have the team fired up to put on a title party performance, much like they did against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park last year, winning 5-0.
Dundee United themselves do have something to play for. They currently sit fourth in the table, just three points off third placed Hibernian, with Aberdeen level on points with United. It makes Saturday’s game important for Goodwin.
However, given Celtic’s recent performances, the Hoops will look to continue where they left off at the final whistle against St Johnstone at Hampden.
