| The Tangerines manager was an interested spectator at Parkhead last night and watched Gordon Strachan’s men narrowly fail to peg back a five-goal first-leg deficit against Artmedia Bratislava.
However, although their indifferent start to the season has seen Strachan and his team come in for stick from all sections, Gordon is preparing his men for a backlash as Celtic try to get their season back on track.
“It would be stupid and naive of us to go there and not expect anything other than a very hard game. We know it will be very difficult, especially as they will have been hurt by the criticism they’ve received and will want to make amends.
“I thought they were very unlucky not to do it last night. They certainly had the chances. But everyone knows the damage was done in the away leg.”
One man who could feature at the weekend is Barry Robson, now free from suspension.
The former Inverness Caley wide man played for 90 minutes in a closed-door game against St Johnstone yesterday and came through unscathed. “Barry needed that as his last outing was against Forfar a few weeks ago,” added Gordon.
Meanwhile, Paul Ritchie's knee injury looks like keeping him out of next week’s UEFA Cup tie against MyPa 47 in Finland. The experienced defender had to come off against Aberdeen after clashing with Dons stopper Zander Diamond.
Derek McInnes could be given the all clear for that one if he receives positive news from today’s visit to see a specialist regarding his injured knee.
United have been allocated 400 tickets for next Thursday’s UEFA tie.
Supporters who have booked a charter package through the Dundee United Travel Club are guaranteed a match ticket, and the remainder will go sale in the club shop Dundee United Direct, as soon as they become available.
The club estimate around 200 tickets should be available for general sale, with priority being given to season ticket holders. To comply with safety and security advice, supporters must be able to provide suitable ID (passport or season ticket data) at the point of sale.
Tickets are priced at 15 Euros each and should go on general release on Monday. Kick-off has been set at 8.30 pm local time (6.30 BST).
Dundee United and the authorities strongly advise supporters shouldn’t travel without a ticket.
Meanwhile, due to the Tangerines’ European involvement, the home games against Hearts, on Saturday week, and ICT on August 27, have been moved back to the respective Sundays (14/8 and 28/8). Both kick-off at 3 pm.
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