Dundee United assistant manager Gary Kirk believes their games against Celtic and Rangers have extra spice these days because the Old Firm hate coming to Tannadice.
With boss Peter Houston in Ireland with the Scotland squad this week, his number two has been preparing the team to face Neil Lennon’s men at lunchtime on Sunday, and he doesn’t expect the fixture to disappoint.
The Tangerines have consistently made life difficult for the Glasgow giants on home turf over recent seasons, with Celtic needing a last-minute goal from Gary Hooper to escape with three points back in October.
Kirk said, “Celtic won’t fancy coming to Tannadice because we always make it hard for them.
“They will be full of confidence after the way they played in the Old Firm game but a lot of it will come down to what we do. We’ll have a go at them, be positive and go for the three points.
“There is an edge to the games we have against the Old Firm at Tannadice and I think that’s because they know we’ll give them a game. When they come to our place, we try to make it as difficult for them as we can.
“The games have been very close. We’ve won a few, so the lads know they can do it.”
Kirk added, “We have improved in the last couple of months and this is a big test of how far we’ve come. The balance of the team is better, we’re getting players back fit again and the confidence is high. So, we’ll go into Sunday’s game believing we can beat them and giving it our best shot.”
United midfielder Danny Swanson could be set to play a role, after coming through a bounce game against St Mirren in midweek. The playmaker has missed most of the season with injury but, along with defender Mihael Kovacevic, is on his way back.
Kirk continued, “As well as playing in the closed-doors match, Danny has been training away no problem. That’s really the first time this season he’s been able to do that, so we’re delighted.
“We’ve also got Mihael coming back, so to get them for the last few months of the season would be like signing two new players,” he said.
United have reduced admission prices for their forthcoming matches against Hamilton and Motherwell. The Tangerines will allow season ticket holders to bring a friend for a fiver to the league meeting with the Accies next Wednesday.
They have also agreed with the Steelmen to reduce admission for the televised Scottish Cup quarter-final at Tannadice on March 13, letting adult spectators in to the game for £10 each and £5 concessions.
United chairman Stephen Thompson thanked the Fir Park club for their co-operation in the cup-tie price change, considering the club are entitled to half of the gate money.