By Graeme Dey

FOR MICKAEL Antoine-Curier (pictured), nothing will compare with the experience he had, as a teenager, of facing his boyhood heroes and some of the best players in Europe.

But Dundee’s Homecoming Scottish Cup tie with Celtic at Parkhead this afternoon is still such a source of excitement for the Guadeloupe international that’s he’s praying boss Jocky Scott is minded to hand him a recall.

Antoine-Curier hasn’t started for the Dark Blues after returning late from representing his country at the Digicel Cup then contracting flu. But the prospect of facing the Hoops is one that thrills him.

“This is the kind of game I want to be involved in, against opponents who play in the Champions League,” he stated.

“I want to play at the highest level and to judge myself against Scotland’s top defenders. I have found it difficult getting into the team again after being in the Caribbean and then going down sick. But hopefully I can get back in it for Saturday.

“It will be good for us to test ourselves against one of the top two teams in Scotland. And if I am involved it will also mean I am filling in a missing piece in my career.

“I played in front of almost 50,000 people at Ibrox for Hibs and that gave me goosebumps. But I’ve never played at Parkhead before and have always wanted to.

“I did go there with Hibs but it was just after John Collins’ departure and I wasn’t included in the squad which was a huge disappointment for me.

“I can’t tell you how much it would mean to me to be involved in this match, even if nothing I’ll experience in my career will ever better what happened to me shortly after signing for Nice.

“Just two weeks after I joined them, aged 16, I came on as a substitute for the last 20 minutes against Marseille and that was, particularly as a Marseille fan, an unforgettable day.

“They had a lot of international players turning out for them and, to be honest, I spent my time on the park completely distracted by the players I was up against.

“In fact, I was so caught up in the occasion that come the end of the game I didn’t want to leave the stadium. As I say, nothing will ever top that for me. But facing Celtic at Parkhead would definitely make my shortlist of best football experiences.

“Celtic are a great passing team who play good, very attacking football and to get a result against them will require us to press them hard and play good, open football ourselves. Just as Hibs did in my second game for them, when they beat Celtic 3-2 at Easter Road, we really need to go for it.”

Dundee boss Scott has listed 20 players for the Parkhead cup-tie.

“I’ll be taking the entire squad through, minus Colin Cameron and Craig Forsyth, who are on loan at Arbroath and Bob Davidson and Eddie Mearns,” said the Dens manager.

“We’re all looking forward to the game. If we can give a good account of ourselves and play as we know we can play, then that will carry us right through the season, regardless of the result.”

Meanwhile, Aiden McGeady remains a taboo subject at Celtic. The Republic of Ireland midfielder returned to training last week after a two-week club ban imposed following a dressing-room row with manager Gordon Strachan but failed to win a place on the bench in last Saturday’s game against Dundee United.

On Tuesday, contrary to expectations, McGeady revealed he would not appeal his suspension and the fine of two weeks’ wages, which suggested a truce of sorts between the player and the manager.

However, on the subject of last season’s player-of-the year, Strachan would only say, “We’ve moved on. Next question.”

The media were then warned not to ask Stephen McManus any questions about his team-mate, although the Hoops captain volunteered an opinion in the context of McGeady returning to the fold.

“Aiden has come back and he is looking sharp,” said McManus.

“Jan (Vennegoor of Hesselink) has come back and he is looking sharp, as is Marc Crosas and that is great for the squad.

“If we sign one or two this month then great but if not then we will get on with it.

“The squad just now is looking really good. We have other players coming back and hopefully Shaun (Maloney) is not too far away, either.”

Strachan faces the club where he started his career in the 1970s with the odds heavily on a home win for the Hoops.

However, the former Aberdeen player insists complacency will not be a problem, while claiming every club must carry some luck if they are to enjoy a successful cup run.

“I am looking forward to it because I started my career at Dundee and had a smashing time there,” he said.

“There have been cup shocks over the years, but it’s not because of underestimating teams.

“Sometimes it’s circumstances, sometimes a team plays fantastically well and sometimes a team is very unlucky. So we won’t be underestimating anyone.

“You must try and enjoy it but you must know there is the prospect of getting beaten.”

McGeady is expected to feature, although Andreas Hinkel (rib) and Mark Wilson (pelvis) are both out.