United won’t face weakened Celtic

Tangerines boss refuses to read too much into Hoops’ injury list

Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara doesn’t think Celtic will be weaker even if they make changes with Europe in mind.

The Tangerines’ task of hosting the Hoops at Tannadice tomorrow may look just a little less daunting because of the Parkhead club’s looming Champions’ League play-off return in Malmo next Tuesday.

The logic goes that with such an important fixture on the horizon they will be tempted to rest key players when they face United.

Also, their injury list grew after Wednesday’s 3-2 win at Celtic Park, with Mikael Lustig, Stuart Armstrong and Nir Biton among those hurt during the game.

That could give hope to a United team desperate to make amends for their 4-0 defeat to Hamilton Accies last Saturday.

LOW BLOW: Continued from page 56

“He probably came back too quickly in the derby game. He was desperate to play at Tannadice but he now needs to let that settle,” said Hartley.

“We think James will be OK. He’s got a dead leg – it’s a bad one – but he’s moving about better now.

“Thommo (calf) has trained and hopefully there’s no reaction to it and he’s OK.”

A trip to Pittodrie to face Derek McInnes’s Dons side is a daunting challenge but Hartley insists it is one his players are relishing.

He added: “It will be a hard test. Aberdeen are full of quality. They have movement and players in the final third who can win games for them.

“Derek has done a terrific job there. We know we’ll have to be at our best against them if we’re to get a positive result.

“Our players should enjoy it. They are testing themselves against one of the top teams in Scotland. I’ll be telling them to go there and show they can play and deserve to be on the same level as them.

“It’s away from home which is a totally different proposition but we’re looking forward to it.

“I think with the players we’ve got we’ll always have a go.

“But at the same time, you have to understand that when we’re away from home we have to adopt a system which can work for us.”

SNS. All smiles for Scotland rugby’s new boys John Hardie, left, Rory Hughes, centre, and Stuart McInally as they relax at Edinburgh Airport ahead of their trip to Turin where Vern Cotter’s side take on Italy in the second of their World Cup warm-up fixtures. See pages 48-49.

Nicky Low will miss game against former side Aberdeen.