Dundee United star in no mood for Celtic title party and keen to avoid same fate as two team-mates

Glenn Middleton is in no mood for a party. Not quite yet at least. The Dundee United winger is determined to avoid Celtic turning Tannadice into a sea of green and white as they attempt to secure their 55th Scottish league title at the ground on Saturday.

A win or a draw will be enough but United have their own ambitions, principally finishing ‘best of the rest’ in third. It would represent a stunning return to top-flight football following promotion a year ago.

“It is shaping up to be a brilliant game in terms of what they are fighting for,” said Middleton, who started his career at Norwich City before joining Rangers. “At the same time we are fighting for something as well. We are fighting to finish in those European spots. We have everything to play for. There will be no case of us not going for that on Saturday and moving forward as well.”

Dundee United's Glenn Middleton is out of contract at the end of the season. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group

It has proved a topsy-turvy United career to date for Middleton, who joined three years ago and is out of contract this summer. He arrived with the club preparing to return to European football against AZ Alkmaar, scoring his first goal for the club in the 1-0 first leg win at Tannadice. Things went awry in the second leg as United crashed 7-0 and they were relegated at the end of the season.

Middleton played his part in last year’s Championship title win and has been integral to the current drive for Europe. The 25-year-old is desperate to extend his stay. Although the club have confirmed Declan Gallagher and Louis Moult are leaving, Middleton has revealed that no talks have taken place yet with manager Jim Goodwin about a new deal or otherwise.

“I guess it is kind of in my own hands with how I perform (in these last five games) and the qualities I can show and give to the team,” he said. “I would say I am in the same boat as hundreds of footballers out there that are currently in this situation. I guess it is down to myself with how I manage myself and show what I am capable of doing. It is one where you would welcome the conversation if it came along.”