Source: FOOTYMAD
Focus on United for now
The old adage of one game at a time surrounds tomorrow's game against United. Neil Lennon believes his players have enough on their plates against Dundee United at Tannadice without looking ahead to the impending Old Firm game. The Hoops look to make it eight wins in a row before they turn their attention to the visit of Rangers next week. Lennon said: "I want our players to be totally focused on this game against Dundee United and not even think about next week. It is important that we keep the momentum going and to do that we are going to have to beat a very good United team. They are a tough, very well-organised team who have put a couple of decent results together off the back of a good season last season and there is a level of confidence there. We went up there towards the end of last season and we had to play very well to beat them. I would expect us to have to do the exact same thing again. But I loved playing there and I love going there. I think the atmosphere at Tannadice is fantastic." Gary Hooper will try to block out the prospect of his first Old Firm experience to focus on beating United. The striker, back available for action after recovering from a calf injury which kept him out for almost six weeks at the start of the season, said: "It's in the back of your mind and everyone is going to be talking about it. But the main thing is Sunday against Dundee United, defending well getting three points and then we have all week to look forward to the Old Firm game. I'm not surprised that Celtic and Rangers have gone so many games unbeaten, they are very good teams. We have a very good team here, strong at defending and we can score goals. But all the teams step up a level to play Celtic and Rangers and we have to step up a level to beat them." Lennon is happy that the goals are being shared about among his players this season as he continues to utilise his whole squad. However, Hooper, who scored his first SPL goal for Celtic since his summer signing from Scunthorpe against Hamilton a fortnight ago, is looking to get back to full fitness and pin down a regular spot. He said: "The manager has said that we will all get used over the course of the season. Training has been really good, really sharp and everyone is looking forward to the games coming up. I am getting fitter in training, getting my match sharpness and I should be there in three or four games."
