Bhoys on the Brink of Banking Title
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Captain Callum McGregor tussles with United's Sam Dalby earlier this season


Tannadice Park, Dundee
Saturday, 26 April 2025
12.30 BST

The Hoops will secure the League title for a 4th consecutive season, so long as they are able to avoid defeat against 4th placed Dundee United at Tannadice, this weekend.

While Celtic are currently sitting 15 points clear at the top of the ladder and hold a vastly superior goal difference on their nearest challenger, but nothing can be taken for granted until the job is done, as the Hoops close in on clinching the title.

After booking their place in next month's Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen, courtesy of a comfortable 5-0 win over St Johnstone at Hampden, all of the attention now returns to closing out the League at the first opportunity after the Split.

The Hoops won the last two meetings between these sides, both in Glasgow, while the last visit to Tannadice resulted in a 0-0 draw, just before Christmas.


February: Jota scored his first goal at Celtic Park since his return in the 3-0 win against United

It has been a very successful return to the top flight for Jim Goodwin and his team, who still hold ambitions of finishing 3rd this season, and are currently embroiled in a 3-way battle with Hibernian and the Dons in that race.

As such, the Tangerines have plenty to play for, as they look to secure European football for next season. Naturally the higher the finish, the more chance there is to progress through the qualifying, and this could aid in helping to motivate the home side.

The hosts are coming into this game in search of a 4th straight League win, which if they manage to achieve that, it would mark the best run of form that United have had in the top flight since 2013.

However, to do that, the Tannadice club will need to do something they have struggled to, as they have only managed one win against any of the other teams in the Top Six since the turn of the year.

Every bit as much as Celtic's own fond memories from a few years ago, of regaining the title at Tannadice, in Ange Postecoglou's first season, and there is sure to be a large travelling support hoping to witness those celebrations once again on Saturday.


February: Luke McCowan put in a full shift of hard graft and tireless effort as the Celts won 3-0

Stats & Facts​

• The Celts have remained unbeaten by Dundee United in all meetings (W17 D5) since December 2014.

• The Hoops are also looking for a 5th straight clean sheet against United, and have conceded just 1 goal in the past 8 visits to Tannadice.

• The Bhoys are undefeated in the League when they have scored first (W25 D2 L0), however, they have only once managed to come back after having conceded first this season (W1 D0 L4).

• Brendan Rodgers' team have also been increasingly inconsistent away from Celtic Park, having won just 3 of their last 8 Premiership games (W3 D2 L3).

• United are looking for a 4th straight Premiership win for the first time since 2013.

May 2022: The Bhoys celebrate clinching the 2021/22 Premiership title at Tannadice

Team New

Brendan Rodgers will be once again without the services of veteran winger Kasper Schmeichel (shoulder) and Dane Murray (knee), while there remains a lingering concern over the availability of Yang Hyun-jun (arm) also, but otherwise the Irishman has close to a full squad to select from.

As for the hosts, they are to continue without Ross Graham (hamstring), but Sam Dalby has been given the all clear for this weekend's match. There was doubt after the striker's early withdrawal against St Johnstone after feeling some tightness, but manager Jim Goodwin has signalled the all clear for the striker being ready for this Saturday.​

Referee: Don Robertson​

Robertson has taken charge of 19 Premiership games this season so far, which is behind only Nick Walsh (21). This will be the 6th time that the 38y.o. has been appointed to a match involving Celtic this season, for a prior record of W3 D1 L1, with the most recent being the 3-3 draw with Dundee, back in January.

Celtic's Overall Record
M:43 W:36 D:4 L:3

VAR: Greg Aitken​

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P:224 W:133 D:55 L:36

Last 5 Meetings
W W D W W

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
W W L W L ~ W W W L D

SPFL
W L W L W ~ W W W L D ​