Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson watched the Hoops paired with Dundee United in yesterday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final draw and admitted it was the tie they didn’t want.
Having said that though, the 18-year-old insists Ronny Deila’s men will take it in their stride as they aim to keep their treble bid on track.
“Tannadice is always a hard place to go but hopefully we can get the result up there,” he added.
“We will now play them two weeks in a row, in the Scottish Cup and then in the League Cup Final, so it will be interesting.
“We will just need to keep working hard in training and make sure the good performances keep on coming like they have in the last few weeks.
“United are definitely a dangerous team.
“They have got some quality players and some really good young players like Charlie Telfer.
“With someone like Nadir Ciftci up front, they have the ability to cause us a lot of problems.
“But I’m sure we will have a game plan and we are looking forward to the tie.
“The manager has been talking to us about the treble a lot.
“All of the players want it too.
“It has been reiterated since the start of the season that it’s what we want to do.
“You have to take each game as it comes and United will be the next hurdle in the Scottish Cup.
“Winning the treble is a tough task and we are still only in February.
“We just need to keep the performances going because they have been very good in the last few months.”
Henderson admits that the fact United old boys Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong are now plying their trade at Parkhead might give the Scottish champions a psychological edge heading into the important games coming up between the sides, and he reckons their addition to the squad has given everyone a lift.
“I suppose it does help us in a way that we have signed two of their best players in Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven,” he added.
“They are cup-tied, so they can’t play for us in the games either, so we’ll just have to wait and see what effect it has.
“But it’s brilliant for me that the two lads have signed, even if they are also midfielders like me.
“Stuart is a quality player and I’m learning from him already in training.
“He and Gaz are both lovely guys and I’m looking forward to working with them.”