Dundee Utd V Celtic - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.Jackson relishes Celtic challengeDundee United coach Darren Jackson believes Sunday's Celtic fixture in the Premiership is the perfect challenge for them following their disappointing defeat at home to Aberdeen last weekend.United were way below-par as they went down 2-0 to Derek McIness' Reds at Tannadice last Saturday but have the chance to make amends when Ronny Deila takes his league leaders to Tayside for Sunday's televised meeting at lunchtime.And Jackson is sure the atmosphere surrounding the visit of the champions can bring out the best in United's players in their effort to return to winning ways.Jackson said: "We're looking to get back on trackIt's a good game."After losing like we did against Aberdeen, people will be saying we've got Celtic in the next outing and maybe thinking that's a bad thing."But it's a great game
There's going to be another full house at Tannadice."We're disappointed with last weekend, more so with the way we played."Our home form had been so good up until Aberdeen when things didn't go the way we would have liked."But that's gone now, our unbeaten home record, so it's time to move on."This is a massive game to look forward to and we want to go and show that we can compete against Celtic and show that we are a good side."Jackson is confident United can hold their own against Deila's league leaders and has called on the hosts to show the necessary belief to raise their game on the day.He said: "That's what it's about on a day like Sunday."You have to have the self-confidence and belief in yourself, otherwise it's going to be difficult."The lads are all good players and we know that."We support them and know how good they are when they do things right."If we can do the things we're good at we should have a good chance of getting a positive result."Meanwhile, United striker Mario Bilate is still out as he attempts to overcome his hamstring injury which has sidelined him for the past few weeks.Full-back Keith Watson is racing to be fit as he seeks to shake off a hamstring injury in time to face the Hoops.Midfielder Paul Paton is suspended for three games after an SFA disciplinary tribunal ruled he spat at Aberdeen's Johnny Hayes.Celtic manager Ronny Deila has praised Dundee United for maintaining their standards despite bringing in more than B#5million in transfer fees this summer.United sold Andy Robertson and Ryan Gauld in the close season but they remain firmly in the hunt for a European place and are still in both cup competitions.And Deila is anticipating a much tougher encounter at Tannadice on Sunday than United provided in a 6-1 defeat at Parkhead in August.The Norwegian said: "They have improved and have had a very good season so far
They have a lot of points and played many good matches."I like the way they play football
They defend hard with a very good team spirit and are very direct, very good in counter-attacks and also score a lot of goals from set-pieces."They are a very good team and have brought on a lot of young players."They also sold players for good money and still keep the team up
That's the sign of a good culture and a good club."It's going to be a very tough game but that's good, that's the games we need."Celtic have won eight Scottish Premiership matches in succession since their home defeat against Hamilton but Deila believes there is plenty of room for improvement."We have been up and down but it's going in the right way," he said
"I think we have improved as a team and individually a lot of the players have been better and better
If we continue doing that, we will get better performances and results."
Source : PA
Source: PA