Bank of Scotland SPL
Wednesday 17th March 2004
Dens Park
Kick Off 7.45, Live on BBC Scotland
Next up for the Celtic Machine is Dens Park. The tough fixtures just seem to keep on coming. Tomorrow night is our first of four away games: Dundee, Hibs, Barcelona and Rangers - all in the space of 12 days!
Dens Park has always proved to be a tricky ground, our latest result there was a solid defensive display, in which Didier Agathe fell victim to the woeful refereeing of Dougie MacDonald, red-carded for a nothing offence. Celtic won the game 1-0.
After Sunday's 1-1 draw with Motherwell, I think Martin O'Neill will bring in some more established first team players. Obviously, we are still without an experienced strike partner for Henrik Larsson, Craig Beattie will most probably start.
Neil Lennon was badly missed and will probably start the game. He will be booed, jeered and called every name (bigoted and non-bigoted) under the sun. However, if Lennon dares to react to the Dundee hardmen, Tayside Police will have a lot of paperwork to deal with on Thursday morning.
Whatever the team, Celtic should be able to overcome Dundee. A defeat or draw would not be the end of the world, but we are looking for a couple of good victories before we head to Nou Camp.
Due to Dundee's fairly large Spanish contingent, there will be a minute's silence before kick-off as a mark of respect for the victims of last week's Madrid bombings.
Hopefully The 'Tic can silence the Dundee support for the rest of the night.
Celtic-Mad Prediction: Dundee 1-2 Celtic
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