JOHN Souttar insists Dundee United have wiped their recent Celtic clashes from their memories - and are itching to buck the trend.

The Tangerines welcome Ronny Deila's men to Tannadice for their televised lunchtime meeting after recently meeting them no fewer than four times in the past week weeks.

It meant losing 10-1 on aggregate including a League Cup Final defeat at Hampden and most players would by now be quaking in their boots at the prospect of having to face the Hoops all over again.

But not teenage defender Souttar who is relishing today's visit of the league leaders despite being on the receiving end of some less than favourable results of late.

He said: "We've got those games against them out of the system.

"We are definitely going into Sunday with a fresh mind.

"There is belief there we can beat them and it would be a massive result for us if we win.

"It would be a good one to start the top-six with a victory.

"We've beaten them in the league and drawn with them in the cup at Tannadice.

"So, if the crowd get behind us, and helps us through the game, we can get a result. If we do, it will be massive."

Souttar reckons Jackie McNamara's men can copy the example of Inverness who defeated Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final last weekend after extra-time to wreck their treble dream.

He said: "I think Inverness showed what you have to try to do when you play Celtic.

"You need the breaks when you play them and Inverness got them.

"There was the penalty decision that went their way in the first-half.

"The sending off for the Celtic goalie and even their second goal because it took a deflection.

"These things help but you need to make the most of them.

"You have to take your opportunities, that's the vital thing. We'll be aiming to do that on Sunday and maybe get a break."

United are eyeing a place in this summer's Europa League place qualifiers so know the importance of finishing at least fourth top in the table.

Souttar said: "We want to be in Europe.

"Fourth place might get us there but we need to aim for third and not have to rely on the result of the cup final.

"That's been the aim all season. I think we've got enough in our team to achieve that."

Souttar has been deployed in midfield recently rather than his normal centre-back role and it's something he's no problem with.

He said: "It's a wee bit different from playing at centre-half.

"You're on the ball a lot more in centre midfield and it's good being a wee bit further �¨forward because I like being on the ball and getting attacks going

"And I used to be a midfielder when I was younger.

"Wherever I've played I've always enjoyed getting on the ball, so it was good to be in there.

"It means you do a bit more running but I felt my fitness is good enough to cope with that."