Arabs keen to avenge Saints final defeat

The Tannadice outfit were paired with the Hoops in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup at yesterday’s Hampden draw.

It means United and Celtic will clash three games in a row next month. After their Scottish Cup meeting they lock horns in the League Cup Final and then on Premiership duty.

Parkhead manager Ronny Deila has spoken of his desire to complete a domestic clean sweep in his first season in charge.

But having already beaten the Hoops at Tannadice in December, Erskine believes they can do it again.

The 28-year-old said: “Someone has to beat Celtic if they are going to win the cup and I don’t see why it can’t be us. We’re going to be playing them three games in a row which isn’t ideal. 

“Us, Celtic and Inverness were the only ones remaining from the top flight so I’m sure we would all have wanted to avoid each other. I’m sure Celtic will be thinking they’d rather not have got us.

“We’ve beaten them already this season which will help. We rode our luck a bit at Tannadice that day but got the victory we deserved. I don’t see why we can’t beat them again in the Scottish Cup. 

“We know that when we’re on our game we’re as good as anyone in the league. Hopefully on that day we play well and get the victory.

“The League Cup Final is obviously a massive game for the club and everyone is looking forward to it. 

“So it’s going to be a couple of big weeks for the club and hopefully we can get two victories out of it. That would set us up for the rest of the season.

“I think Celtic are always under pressure. That’s what comes from being a big club and expecting to win things all the time. 

“There’s always pressure on them. That won’t faze them at all. We’re just concentrating on ourselves. When we play well we can beat anyone on our day.”

United were beaten by St Johnstone in last season’s Scottish Cup Final and Erskine, who was on loan at Partick Thistle then, insists his team-mates are using that defeat as motivation.

He said: “A lot of the boys are still hurting after last year’s final. Getting to a final and losing is probably the worst thing that can happen to you. I know there’s a massive determination among the squad to go one better this time around.”

Celtic raided United on the final day of the transfer window to sign Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong.

The two  players are cup-tied for the Scottish Cup and League Cup clashes.

Erskine is relieved they will miss the cup games but knows United have talent waiting in the wings.

He said: “GMS and Stuart have moved on and we just have to move on without them. I’m just glad they can’t play against us in the cup as they are two good players. We have players ready to come in and take their places.”