Freddie Ljungberg is out of Sunday`s game against Dundee United after manager Neil Lennon revealed the Swede will miss out due to a calf strain. Midfielder Joe Ledley will miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury aggravated against Rangers at Ibrox last week while defender Cha Du-ri remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
However, Lennon is looking forward to another enthralling game. The Hoops have won two of the previous three league encounters between the sides this season and all have produced excitement and drama. In October last year, a late Gary Hooper goal at Tannadice gave Celtic the points in a game best remembered for referee Dougie McDonald awarding the visitors a penalty after United goalkeeper Dusan Pernis had clashed with Hooper, then controversially changing his mind after consulting assistant Steven Craven. In November, Sean Dillon's dramatic equaliser in the third minute of added time gave United a point at Parkhead and in February the Hoops won 3-1 after an hectic game at Tannadice. And Lennon expects more of the same as his side continue with their title bid.
He said: "I think it will be a tough game but I think it will be open. Dundee United will have a go and play with a bit of freedom. And if previous encounters are anything to go by it should be an exciting game. Peter (Houston) has done a great job there, he has turned the team around. They seemed to have been a big strong side in the last few years but he seems to have changed that philosophy. They are flexible with their formation, they have good pace in the team and he has brought in some good young players allied to the players he already had there. They had a great result at Ibrox a few weeks ago and they were capable of taking points off us when they came here earlier in the season and so we are going to have to be at our best.''