Dundee United winger Craig Conway is ready to torment Celtic at Tannadice on Sunday after being declared fit.
Conway has been missed by the Tangerines since injuring his knee in the 3-1 win over Aberdeen five weeks ago but can’t wait to have a go at the Hoops.
He said, “I am feeling good and raring to go.
“I am quite naturally fit anyway and, on top of that, I have been doing enough running just to keep myself ticking over.
“I am never the best of spectators to be honest but it has been OK to watch because boys have been digging in to get results.”
He added, “I know the manager has been speaking publicly about the need to get our so-called flair players back.
“That is nice to hear him call me that and hopefully I can bring something different to the team this weekend.
“As a player, you always relish the big occasion and they don’t come much bigger than Celtic at home, live on television.
“I just want to start afresh again and really concentrate on helping the team try and climb the table.”
If United are to destroy Celtic’s 100% league record, they will need a performance similar to the one which saw them inflict defeat on the Hoops around this time last year.Prospect of a Scotland call-upConway said, “We beat Celtic at Tannadice 2-1 last November so we know it can be done.
“Looking back, I think that day was all about character as we had to come from behind with late goals from Jon Daly and Darren Dods.
“It has a lot to do with being mentally strong when you are facing either half of the Old Firm.
“I think we have that here. The fans can help, too, by getting right behind us and creating a big-game atmosphere.”
Having Conway back boosts United’s options and manager Peter Houston believes the former Ayr United man can regain the form which won him a Scotland cap last season.
Former boss Craig Levein is in charge of the national side, so the incentive is there.
Houston said, “I think we have missed Craig because he offers so much to the team.
“He gives us natural width, pace and skill which is what any team wants.
“He has been training fine this week with no ill-reactions and is the kind of player who thrives on the big occasion.”
He added, “I think towards the end of last season he was our best player.
“And if he can get back to that kind of form then I reckon he would have to be in with a shout of a Scotland call-up.”Maloney for captain?Meanwhile, Shaun Maloney has emerged as a surprising candidate for the Celtic captaincy in light of the news that Scott Brown is out for 10 weeks with an ankle problem.
Swedish stopper Daniel Majstorovic has acted as stand-in this season but Lennon is contemplating thrusting the responsibility on to the Scotland international for the coming months.
Manager Neil Lennon said, “There are a couple of players in mind and we will discuss it over the next couple of days.
“Daniel was stand-in captain against Inverness and he will be a candidate, as will Shaun Maloney.”
He added, “I think Shaun’s performances this season, and the way he handles himself on and off the field, have merited him being in the running as a potential captain.
“I didn’t get the captaincy until I was 33. You need a certain level of maturity although that’s one word you wouldn’t have used about me when I played.
“You need to be able to take the game and the team by the scruff of the neck at times and guide them through difficult situations and periods in games.”