Dundee United assistant boss Simon Donnelly insists the experience of their recent Celtic clashes has made them stronger for the run-in.

 

The Tangerines came face-to-face with Ronny Deila's men no fewer than four times on the trot during which time they suffered three defeats including the League Cup Final and managed just one draw in their Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Tannadice.

It's been a tough period for the fourth-top Taysiders who return to domestic action this weekend with a home match against rejuvenated Ross County.

But Donnelly believes having gone head-to-head with the champions in such quick succession can work in their favour despite results not going their way.

He said: "I'm sure the lads can come out of all this a lot stronger.

"We've learned plenty and the younger lads especially can be strengthened by the experience.

"It's never easy playing a top team so frequently in such a short space of time, especially as Celtic are more used to such big games coming so thick and fast.

"It's the first time some of our lads have been through it.

"But it's about moving on now and what we took from those recent games we can take into our last ten games of the season."

United are without Australian defender Ryan McGowan for Saturday's visit of the Staggies after he lost his recent SFA appeal against a two-match ban.