Preview: Celtic vs. Dundee

Celtic will feel that they are back where they belong ahead of their meeting with Dundee this Saturday.

The Bhoys climbed to the top of the Scottish Premiership for the first time this season courtesy of their 2-1 win over Aberdeen before the international break.

Parkhead brought mixed fortunes for the national team last week as Scotland beat the Republic of Ireland before losing to England, but Celtic have won four matches in succession at their Glasgow home.

Dundee are in good form themselves, having gone four games unbeaten to climb to sixth in the table, and they will be buoyed by the fact that they held Ronny Deila's side 1-1 in the reverse fixture in August.

However, they have not won at Celtic Park since 2001 and have conceded 30 goals in eight consecutive defeats since then. This season, though, the Dark Blues pose a serious goal threat of their own.

David Clarkson, who has six strikes in five starts since joining on a free transfer from Bristol Rovers, and Greg Stewart have 11 goals between them and will be chosen in attack by ex-Celtic favourite Paul Hartley.

Former Rangers midfielder Kevin Thomson could be recalled for the visitors, but he will not do battle with old nemesis Scott Brown, who has signed a new deal to stay with the Scottish champions until at least 2018.

The 29-year-old and Charlie Mulgrew were the only Scottish Premiership representatives in Gordon Strachan's teams this week, but will not be paired together in midfield due to Brown's suspension.

Craig Gordon, Mikael Lustig, Wakaso Mubarak and Callum McGregor should all be recalled after sitting out the victory over the Dons, but key midfielder Kris Commons remains absent with a muscle injury.

Celtic:

Form in Scottish Premiership: WLWWWW Form in all competitions: WWWWDW

Possible starting lineup: Gordon; Lustig, Van Dijk, Ambrose, Izaguirre; Johansen, Mubarak, Mulgrew, McGregor; Stokes, Guidetti

Dundee:

Recent form : LLWWWD

Possible starting lineup: Bain; Irvine, Konrad, McPake; McGowan, McGinn, Thomson, McAlister, Harkins; Cameron, Stewart

Sports Mole says: 3-0