Samaras starts for Bhoys in League game

Celtic showed three changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup at Pittodrie on Sunday for the visit of Dundee United in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Midfielder Scott Brown returned from suspension to replace Paul Hartley while defender Lee Naylor had recovered from illness to take over from Darren O’Dea.

Striker Georgios Samaras started for the second time since his loan move from Manchester City in January with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink dropping to the bench.

United, who play Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup final at Hampden on Sunday, made six changes to their starting line-up from the side that beat Gretna 3-0 in their last outing.

In came Lee Wilkie, Mark Kerr, Danny Grainger, Craig Conway, Mark De Vries and Michael Kovacevic for Sean Dillon, Darren Dods, Willo Flood, Noel Hunt, Christian Kalvenes and Morgaro Gomis.