MULGREW HAS BIG CHANCE FOR DUBLIN
RONNY DEILA hopes Charlie Mulgrew will be able to line up for Scotland against the Republic of Ireland in June as the adaptable Celtic man closes in on fitness. Mulgrew has been sidelined since December with a knee injury, suffering a setback when he pushed an initial comeback bid. Deila, however, believes the 29-year-old could feature before the end of the season and would be more than happy to then see him link up with Gordon Strachan’s national squad. ‘Charlie is getting closer and closer now,’ said Deila. ‘He is in full training but at 95 per cent. ‘We knew when he got the injury back again he would be out a long time. But now he’s positive and, hopefully, he will get a couple of games before the end of the season. ‘Maybe then he will be available for Scotland. That would be a positive for us and also for him. If he can get that last five per cent, we will have control over him and then he needs to get his fitness back. It will be better for him mentally, too, to play before the summer.’ Mulgrew won’t be part of the squad to face Dundee United tomorrow, but Stefan Johansen and Adam Matthews both return after missing the midweek win over city rivals Dundee. United, meanwhile, are looking to end their miserable run against the league leaders. The Tannadice side lost in the Premiership, the Scottish Cup (after a replay) and the League Cup Final against Ronny Deila’s men last month. But United boss Jackie
McNamara insisted: ‘I take something from all of the games. ‘There was a lot that went on during those four games. ‘Discipline is key for us as far as I’m concerned. We gave away silly free-kicks and they possess danger in different areas. ‘You see Virgil van Dijk in the last two games with fantastic freekicks. So I think it’s important that we don’t give silly free-kicks away at the edge of the box. ‘We lost a goal from a free-kick against Aberdeen last week, as well. These things can be costly. ‘So it’s about doing our jobs properly when Celtic come here.’ McNamara reckons it’s the ideal fixture for his side in the wake of last weekend’s 1-0 defeat away to the Dons. ‘It’s another great game which everyone wants to be involved in,’ he continued. ‘It’s live on television against the champions. Everyone should be desperate to play in it and it should be a great game. ‘You want to play against the best teams and the best players. ‘Obviously, Celtic are going well. They got a good result in midweek at Dundee to extend their lead at the top of the table. ‘For us, naturally being at home we want to cause them problems and try to get three points. ‘In the two games we’ve played them at Tannadice, we’ve won one and drawn one. ‘We’re looking for a good performance and a good bit of intensity in the game. We have to stick together and make sure we try to cause them problems.’ Calum Butcher is doubtful for the Tangerines with a shoulder injury while Mario Bilate, Paul Paton and Ryan Dow are all out for the remainder of the season.