HOOPS ARE EXPECTED TO RESPOND TO CRITICISM

Tannadice men expect strong Celtic reaction

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Dundee United manager Craig Levein expects to face a dangerous opponent when his team plays Celtic on Sunday.

The Hoops have been criticised this season for their poor defensive displays and were savaged in the wake of their 3-3 draw against bottom club Falkirk a fortnight ago.

Levein knows from past experience when clubs the size of Celtic receive negative headlines they rally quickly.

Parkhead manager Tony Mowbray will take his team to Tannadice with Artur Boruc, Scott Brown, Glenn Looven and Shaun Maloney injured and Stephen McManus suspended.

But Levein sees plenty of quality remaining and said: “When the likes of Celtic get criticism they come out fighting. They are resilient. They don’t get to sign the quality of players they have without them having something about them.

“I understand they have some injury problems but the players you’re talking about bringing in or moving around are mostly internationals.

“An example of that is Lukasz Zaluska. He got his chance because Artur Boruc has been injured but he’s come in and done really well.”

The United manager was disappointed to lose the Polish international goalkeeper in the summer but is happy Zaluska is making a name for himself at Parkhead. He added: “He’s a great lad and did a good job for us.”

United have a number of injury problems of their own, with first-team regulars Lee Wilkie, Garry Kenneth, Jon Daly, Francisco Sandaza and Scott Robertson sidelined.

Short-term signing Mark Fotheringham has been added to the list, after taking painkilling injections to play through a heel problem in recent weeks.

The former Celtic, Dundee and Norwich midfielder will join Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta in January and Levein won’t rush him back into action in case it harms his new start. He said: “He came here to do us a favour and has been helping us out.

“He’s got his deal lined up so we’ve got to look after him.

“The last thing we would want to do is mess things up for him so we’ll leave him until he’s right.”