Craig is well aware that could provoke a dangerous reaction, but his big concern is getting United to produce their best.

“You have to be honest and say that if Celtic are firing on all cylinders and we are firing on all cylinders, then they will win because they have the stronger squad,” he said.

“However, there is some evidence to suggest that is not the case with them right now, though predicting how the opposition will play is hard.

“What it is better for me to focus on is getting my team to fire on all cylinders and I have to say that, even before we started hitting the back of the net at Tynecastle, as a rule, performances had been good for a couple of months. If we keep that going we will have a chance tomorrow.”

United have been hit by a triple suspension blow, with Noel Hunt, Christian Kalvenes and David Robertson banned, while potential stand-in Lee Mair is ruled out by illness.

Long-term injury victim Craig Conway is another absentee, but the manager feels the fact not too much has been made of losing five squad members is another sign of the progress being made.

“Of course, I would prefer to have all my players available, but at least we are now in a position where the ones coming in have experience of the first team and are capable of doing a good job.

“I’ve no worries about using them and they are desperate to play. That’s the way it should be for a game against Celtic that’s live on TV.”

Home skipper Barry Robson, meanwhile, believes the increase in plaudits he’s received for his performances this season can be put down to the width of the frame of the goal.

Robson’s displays have seen growing calls for a Scotland cap, but, while he has been a huge influence in the United midfield, he feels it is the number of times he has hit the back of the net that has counted.

“I think my game has been consistent for the past two seasons — it’s just that this year I have scored more goals. Last season, I hit the post or bar something like 13 times, but this time the ball has been going in and I’m sure that’s what gets you the attention,” he said.

Several of his near things and a few of his goals have come against tomorrow’s opposition and, another time The Hoops visited for a lunch date in front of the cameras, Robson was denied a last-minute goal by an outstanding Rab Douglas save.

“I remember that save and I remember that game. It was very exciting and it’s likely to be the same tomorrow because that’s what happens when you have teams of Celtic’s quality coming.”

CAR PARK CLOSED

Fans heading for Tannadice and Dens Park this weekend should note that the Densfield car park is now closed. That means tomorrow will see Celtic supporters buses park in Fairbairn Street and Neish Street.

“Airdrie are fighting for survival and they will come here up for the battle, but that will be no different from how they normally are and every game we have had against them this season has been very hard,” he said.

“We have to match that approach and be ready to work hard for a win so we can start looking to climb up the table again.”

After Sunday’s defeat at St Johnstone, there are a number of selection dilemmas facing the Dens gaffer, the most obvious being who will come in on the left side of the defence for Paul Dixon, suspended after his red card at McDiarmid Park.

“I have a couple of options I could go with and I’ll have a think over the next day or so about which is best. One bonus with ‘Dicker’ is that he has not passed the penalty point threshold, so he only misses this game.”

Alex will also tinker with his midfield and that is set to mean restoring himself to the team for the first time since appearing as a substitute in the March 11 defeat against Gretna.

It could also see top scorer Derek Lyle pushed back into the attack after his stint wide on the right in Perth.

“Derek put in a shift up there, but midfield is not his position. He definitely gives us something extra up front and that is something for me to think about,” added Alex.

“Having said that, the front two have been doing OK while he’s been out and I have been impressed with Bob Davidson, in particular, over the last few games.

“As for me, I have been doing all the training and I’m available, but that’s another decision I will leave until closer to kick-off.”

Of those in the doubtful category, Milne looks likely to miss out — but the rest could play, albeit none of them being 100% fit.

Simon Mensing is suspended, so that is one definite change from the side which triumphed over Dundee.

Despite these troubles, striker Peter MacDonald stresses that the spirit in the camp is high as Saints chase Gretna for the one promotion spot to the SPL.

The Perth side lie four points behind the Raydale Park club and Gretna have a game in hand, but Peter said, “We are desperate to get back into the SPL.

“We reached the CIS Cup semi-finals and are in the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

“But we have achieved nothing yet and it will only be a good season if we win something.

“It will be a real disappointment if we don’t win the First Division and secure that SPL place.

“We may have injury worries, but every player who takes to the park in a St Johnstone jersey tomorrow will give it everything — I can assure the fans of that.

“We have a great team spirit and we are buzzing.

“Our fans have been great, giving us superb backing, and they can help us by doing the same again in what is another vital game.”