John Clark believes now is the perfect time for his old club to end their 17-year wait for a win at Celtic Park. Clark was part of the squad managed by Jim McLean in 1992, the last time Dundee United recorded a victory in Glasgow's east end.

John Clark believes now is the perfect time for his old club to end their 17-year wait for a win at Celtic Park.

Clark was part of the squad managed by Jim McLean in 1992, the last time Dundee United recorded a victory in Glasgow's east end. Duncan Ferguson provided the match-winner, but since then, United have been unable to defeat Celtic on their home turf.

However, with United flying high in third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League under current manager Craig Levein, and boasting an unbeaten record against the Old Firm this season, the club's former centre-half believes they are now capable of finally securing that elusive victory at Celtic Park.

"United are playing really well," said Clark, "so I see no reason why they can't go to Parkhead and win.

"It's amazing that they've not won there in so many years, and maybe this is the best chance they're going to have. They are one of the youngest teams in the SPL and because of that, they'll show no fear. They've proved that against the Old Firm already, and they've got loads of energy.

"They will probably have to soak up pressure and chase the ball but, because they're so young, I reckon they'll have plenty left to do some attacking of their own.

"Winning in Glasgow is always a really hard task, but it's definitely not beyond them. They nearly did it against Rangers at Ibrox and were really unlucky to lose a goal in the last minute, while Celtic have not found it easy against them either in recent seasons."

Celtic are seven points ahead of Rangers after last weekend's Old Firm victory, but Clark insists Gordon Strachan's side will not become complacent.

He added: "Celtic will not be thinking the title is over. They clawed back a bigger gap last season with quite a few less games to play, so they won't get carried away. But the stakes are just as high for United, because they want that third place and the UEFA Cup next season."

Meanwhile, United will resist the temptation to recall striker Kevin Smith from his loan deal at Raith Rovers.

The former Sunderland and Dundee player is top scorer for the Fife side and could replace Roy O'Donovan in the United squad, but Levein will not make a decision until next week.