First Team
EVERY WORD | JACK WALTON LOOKS AHEAD TO IBROX TEST
21st November 2024
After a confidence boosting win over Airdrie in the Scottish Cup last Saturday, United return to league duty this weekend.
By Gareth Scott
Things couldn't be more difficult as United face Celtic in a Friday night match under the floodlights at Tannadice. The game is kicking off at 7.45pm and is being broadcast live on television.
The clubs were sick of the sight of each other last season with seven meetings taking place, which included the memorable 2-1 win for United at Tannadice last Christmas. The two matches so far this term have resulted in two victories for the Champions with a 3-1 win at Tannadice early on and then a heavy 5-0 defeat at Parkhead early on under Mixu Paatelainen’s stewardship. United have certainly improved since then with things being tighter at the back although results wise things simply haven’t gone United’s way this season.
Therefore a much needed cup win will hopefully provide the platform for a strong second half of the season in which United do have time to save themselves but wins need to happen straight away.
Mixu has started making his mark on the United squad and will have new Japanese goalkeeper, Eiji Kawashima and Finnish forward Riku Riski available to make their home debuts.
Unfortunately Guy Demel will be suspended after his red card in the derby as will Mark Durnan. The game may come too soon for the injured Ryan Dow and Florent Sinama Pongolle but Paul Paton made a welcome return last Saturday and Ryan McGowan and Gavin Gunning will be available after serving suspensions in the Scottish Cup.
Much has been made of the transfer of players from United to Celtic and it will be interesting to see who, if any, line up against their former side. Stuart Armstrong has been injured of late and both Nadir Ciftci and Gary Mackay-Steven have struggled to find a place in the Hoops' starting line-up. The same also goes for former United man Scott Allan who joined from Hibs at the start of the season.
As much as this will appear to be a daunting prospect for United, the home fans will take heart that other teams have taken points from Ronnie Deila’s men this season. With Kawashima looking solid and the threat of Mckay up front, United will hope this is the start of better things to come.
C’MON UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ticket Info:
Briefs for this all ticket match are still on sale at the Tannadice Ticket Centre until 5pm on Friday afternoon.
Orders can be placed in person, by phone on 01382 833166 (options 1 & 3) or online and are available for both the George Fox and Eddie Thompson stands. Tickets ordered via phone or online at this point must be uplifted from the Ticket Centre, ideally in good time before kick-off. Online orders can be placed until 5pm on the day of the game.
Prices are as follows:-
Upper:
£25 – Adults
£13 – Concessions – (65+/U18)
Lower:
£22 – Adults
£12 – Concessions - (65+/U18/Students)
Season Ticket voucher 12 applies.
Tickets for children under 12 for the George Fox lower can be purchased for £3 when bought with a full paying adult ticket (maximum of two per adult).
We also have a limited amount of away tickets on sale which Celtic supporters can purchase either in person at the ticket centre or via phone on (01382) 833166 (options 1 & 3). Prices are as stated above.
We would remind all supporters that pyrotechnics are illegal at football grounds. Being in possession of a pyrotechnic device at a football match, or attempting to bring a pyrotechnic device into a football stadium, is an illegal offence. Any person committing such an offence faces immediate arrest and a life time ban from the Club.
