Old Firm nemesis Sandaza to return

Published on Monday 11 May 2009 22:52

DUNDEE United will throw striker Francisco Sandaza straight back into the team against Celtic tonight and manager Craig Levein hopes he can be the scourge of the champions once more.

The former Valencia B player has an impressive record against Gordon Strachan's men, having scored three of his ten goals against them.

Sandaza has been missing recently with a hamstring injury and was even sent over to Spain for rehabilitation at the Mestalla with his old physio in a bid to get him fit for the Clydesdale Bank Premier League run-in.

With United embroiled in a battle with Hearts for third place and a berth in next season's Europa League, Levein is delighted to have his top marksman available once more and is backing him to keep his big-game form going.

The United manager, who had to field youngsters Andis Shala and David Goodwillie against Aberdeen last week, said: "Fran has trained for two days now so he'll be fine for Celtic. Getting him back is a great boost for the team because, although I thought the two young kids did well against Aberdeen, he's one of our more experienced strikers.

"Added to that he's got a good scoring record in these games – he has scored three against Celtic already – so we're delighted to have him available. We've also got Lee Wilkie back from suspension so that's a big bonus."

Levein, who has already declared his indifference to who wins the title, has his players firmly focused on getting the points they need to overtake Hearts. The former Tynecastle head coach, who led the Gorgie club into Europe in 2004, believes his team have to take something from Parkhead to stay in the race.

He said: "I have to assume the worst and believe that Hearts will win up at Aberdeen so that means we need to get something to ensure that we're in a position to overtake them at the weekend. It's a tall order but I honestly believe that over the last five or six games we're playing as well as anyone."