Hitman Clark aims to silence Parkhead fans

NICKY CLARK is about to sample the Celtic Park atmosphere for the first time at the age of 30, seeking to silence a crowd that’s celebrated 21 goals in their last five domestic games.

The former Rangers and Dunfermline striker hadn’t played at Parkhead until last season, losing 3-0 with United in front of the empty stands.

‘I was talking to Charlie Mulgrew about that the other night and he was surprised I’d never played in front of a Celtic crowd in my career,’ said Clark.

‘I obviously played there last year when there were no fans allowed and, before that, I faced Celtic at Hampden with Rangers.

‘I’m looking forward to it. The atmosphere there will be incredible. I’m sure it’ll be a full house and they’ll try to put on a good show for their fans, especially after Livingston beat them.

‘Livingston showed how it can be done. You want to frustrate them, take your chance then defend really well.’

United’s dismal record at Celtic Park was dragged up when Clark played there last December and, on account of that loss, it’s due another airing this weekend.

Boxing Day 1992 was the club’s most recent victory at Parkhead, courtesy of a Duncan Ferguson goal.

Clark (below) said: ‘I don’t think I’ve ever had to overturn a record anything like that before. But why not now? Why not go there and change that?

‘I wouldn’t say it’s a psychological problem but let’s make sure we go and change history a bit.’

Tam Courts’ United will take confidence from the fact that they stunned Rangers by ending their long unbeaten domestic run at Tannadice on week two of the Premiership season.

Clark said: ‘To beat both will be tough, we know that. For the Rangers game, everything we had planned on and worked on came off for us that day.

‘We need this to be similar — to be right at it and hope our game plan works. And, if we can create a couple of chances, then we will need to take them.

‘We go there with confidence we can do that.’