Three Celtic pointers for Ange Postecoglou ahead of Dundee United game

Ange Postecoglou's side ground out a superb 2-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle in midweek to remain four points behind league leaders Rangers at the summit.

Tam Courts takes United to Paradise having just snapped a six-game league losing streak with Wednesday's 2-1 win over Ross County at Tannadice.

Here, Tony Haggerty puts forward three 'Postecoglou Pointers' ahead of the match-up with the Tangerines...

1. Keep building Giorgos Giakoumakis' confidence

Giorgos Giakoumakis repaid Postecoglou's faith in him by conjuring up an exquisite finish for Celtic's winning goal against Hearts in midweek which was right out the striking top drawer.

The Aussie knows exactly what he has in the shape of the Greek hitman. This is why he singled last season's Eredivisie top scorer out for praise after the Hearts match.

Giakoumkakis has scored three goals in four starts for Celtic and two in his last two matches.

There is an air of confidence about the Greek striker right now and Postecoglou quite rightly insists he had no qualms about pitching him into the firing line due to Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda's absence.

"That’s what I mean about character and mentality," he said. "Giakoumakis is another one who had a tough first half of the year for sure.

READ MORE: Predicted Celtic line-ups - Ange Postecoglou faces James Forrest or Liel Abada conundrum

“He scored not just a great goal, but worked awfully hard and he had to because unfortunately at the moment we don’t have somebody to give him a bit of a breather towards the end of the game. He is showing people why I brought him. He has a presence about him and in the box, he can score goals. That’s his strength.

“It’s a testament to his character. I said after he missed the penalty against Livingston that that’s the burden you carry if you are the main striker here at Celtic. You are expected to be here for the big moments and score goals and that’s what he wants. He didn’t shy away after that happened, worked hard to get himself fit and be ready."

A ringing endorsement of a player's talent if ever there was one from the man that matters most at the club - the manager.

Giakoumakis has finally got the memo - his season has well and truly started.

2. Consider picking Liel Abada over James Forrest

James Forrest won that particular battle in midweek as he came in to replace Liel Abada at Tynecastle. The veteran is still finding his feet and fitness having returned to the Celtic side after an injury absence.

Postecoglou may feel that it is beneficial for Forrest to gain as much game-time as possible and get him up to speed. However, Abada may well have felt harshly treated after being dropped from the starting XI after he scored what turned out to be the clinching goal against Alloa in the Scottish Cup.

READ MORE: Giorgos Giakoumakis opens up on 'rough' Celtic spell as he aims to kick on under Ange Postecoglou

The Israeli has proved that he has an eye for goal this season and 11 from 35 appearances is more than a decent return and he has hit a rich vein of form again. Will Postecoglou be tempted to reverse his team selection against the Tangerines and hand Abada the starting berth this time around?

The one positive the 56-year-old Celtic boss has is that he now has a duo champing at the bit to nail down that regular wide right starting slot and two decent options at his disposal.

That has certainly not been the case for him at various stages of the season and these are exactly the kind of selection dilemmas, headaches and conundrums that he will relish.

3. Give Christopher Jullien some game-time

Is this the day that Christopher Jullien makes his long-awaited return?

Jullien has not kicked a ball in earnest since he slammed his knee into the post making a goal-saving clearance against, ironically, Dundee United on December 30 2020.

It could well be apt that the £7million defender makes his comeback against the same opposition and is granted the opportunity to take his bow in front of a full-house at Celtic Park.

READ MORE: Celtic's resilience is to be applauded... but they must find a way to finish teams off earlier - Alison McConnell

Postecoglou will be hopeful that his men can work themselves into a comfortable winning position that will afford him the luxury of getting minutes into Jullien's legs.

He and the Celtic supporters alike will be intrigued to see how Jullien fares.

However, with Raith Rovers in the Scottish Cup the following weekend, in an ideal world Postecoglou will sense that as the perfect opportunity to hand Jullien a full start - so some sort of cameo role against the Taysiders could help ease him gently back into the fold.

If he does it will surely be with the intention of unleashing him from the get-go against the men from Kirkcaldy.