Celtic captain Scott Brown expects Dundee United to challenge

Celtic captain Scott Brown says Dundee United "could emerge as the main contenders" to challenge his side in this season's Scottish Premier League.

Rangers, who finished runners-up to Celtic last term, are no longer in the top flight after being relaunched by a different company.

And Brown feels United are well placed to compete.

"Hearts have released a lot of their players and Dundee United will take a lot of confidence from that," he said.

"St Johnstone have pretty much the same squad just now as they did last season so I think they will be another strong force.

Scott Brown

  • Began career with Hibernian and won Scottish League Cup in 2007
  • Joined Celtic later that year and won the Scottish Premier League in his debut season
  • Won League Cup again in 2009 and was soon voted Scotland's player of the year by his fellow professionals
  • Was made Celtic captain in 2010
  • Skippered side to Scottish Cup final win in 2011 and led Celtic to SPL title win the following year
  • Capped 28 times for Scotland, scoring twice

"It will be a little bit different, but at the end of the day we still have to go out there and play every game.

"It's always hard playing at home and even harder going away to teams like Aberdeen and Hearts. We have to make sure we keep our form week in, week out."

As well as targeting a second straight SPL title, Brown is eager for Celtic to return to the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2008.

Celtic enter the competition at the third qualifying stage, with the draw taking place on 20 July.

"You don't get much bigger than that, they're the best nights you can have at Celtic Park," added Brown, who reached the last 16 of the tournament with Celtic in season 2007/08.

"It's bigger than the derbies and it's bigger than any games I think most of the players in the squad will have ever played in.

"I don't think many of them have played in the Champions League so they will be looking forward to seeing a full Celtic Park on those nights.

"We have struggled in qualifiers in recent years, but the players know each other a lot better now, and with the fans as well I think we can do well this year."