Tighter defence keeps Celtic on Rangers´ tails

The record for the defence makes encouraging reading for Celtic as they host Dundee United in their Scottish Premier League clash at Parkhead on Saturday.

The Hoops have lost just nine goals in 13 league games so far this season and have kept clean sheets in three of their last four matches.

It’s a vast improvement from the beginning of the season when Celtic went five games without keeping a clean sheet and has coincided with a new central defence partnership of Daniel Majstorovic and Thomas Rogne.

But while Swedish international Majstorovic is looking forward to continuing his partnership with Rogne at the heart of the defence he says the Old Firm side’s improved performances at the back are down to the whole team taking on more defensive responsibilities.

“We went through a bad spell last month when we let in a few goals,” Majstorovic said.

“But sometimes football is like that. You can’t let yourself get too down about it.

“How Celtic do isn’t all about the defenders or all about the strikers. I believe we must defend as a team and we must score as a team.

“If we start defending with the strikers then it is always easier for the rest of the side. That is what we are now doing effectively.

“I think we are growing as a team all the time and are learning from the mistakes we have made. The win against St Mirren showed we have a strong mentality as well.

“We are now defending well all over the pitch, not just at the back, and that is helping our cause.”

Celtic coach Neil Lennon will be without captain Scott Brown and midfielder Beram Kayal for the match.

Dundee United are looking for their first win in three and will welcome back David Goodwillie after he made his Scotland debut in midweek. The striker scored when Celtic narrowly defeated the Arabs 2-1 at Tannadice in October.

Celtic could find themselves four points behind Rangers by the time they take to the pitch as their Old Firm rivals are away to Kilmarnock in the early kick-off game.

The home side, who are unbeaten in four matches, will be hoping Rangers have one eye on their midweek Champions League fixture against Manchester United as they look to break into the top six.

Gers boss Walter Smith has been dealt a blow with the news central defender Madjid Bougherra will miss the next three weeks with a hamstring injury. He joins an extensive injury list at Ibrox with Maurice Edu, Nikica Jelavic and James Beattie already out of the match.

Kyle Lafferty, Steven Naismith, Sasa Papac, Kirk Broadfoot and Steven Whittaker have all been nursing knocks and will be assessed before the trip to Rugby Park.

Elsewhere, third placed Hearts welcome Hamilton to Tynecastle. The Jambos are aiming for four wins on the trot while Billy Reid’s side need points to get off bottom spot.

Aberdeen face fellow strugglers St Johnstone at Pittodrie. Mark McGhee’s side have lost their last four league games and sit just a point off the bottom with St Johnstone looking for their first win in five matches.

Motherwell will be looking to reclaim third spot when they take on lowly St Mirren and Inverness Caledonian Thistle host Hibernian.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Kilmarnock v Rangers (1200), Hearts v Hamilton (1300), Aberdeen v St Johnstone, Celtic v Dundee United, Inverness CT v Hibernian, St Mirren v Motherwell