DUNDEE UNITED captain Ryan Edwards has called upon his teammates to show the best version of themselves as they look to pull off an Old Firm double by beating Celtic at Tannadice this afternoon.

Edwards was part of the United side who defeated Rangers on Tayside back in August, with Jamie Robson’s goal enough for the three points thanks to a resolute defensive showing from Tam Courts’ men.

The United skipper was disappointed in his side’s showing though as they went down by a goal to nil at Motherwell during the week, and he has warned the rest of the players they will have to be back to their best once more if they are to have any hope of getting a result against Ange Postecoglou’s team.

“Well if it is Celtic I think you have got to be at it,” Edwards said.

“Even at Parkhead (in the 1-1 draw in September) I thought we were unlucky. Yeah they had a few shots from outside the box, hit the bar but we could have won it at the end.

“They are a different animal now. We probably played them at a good time but now they are winning games for fun.

“They will have their tails up and will have a big following. No-one needs motivated for it, it is Celtic it take care of itself.

“I think everyone turned up that day [against Rangers] as the best version of themselves. Maybe Rangers were lacking a bit that day, I don’t know, but we were the best version of us and that will have to be repeated on Sunday.

“It is Celtic and we are at home so there will be a big crowd. You don’t need motivated for those games. Games like the Motherwell match you probably do.

“I hate to say it but they were so much more street wise than what we were as a team. It was clear to see and that is how they have won the game.

“We just have to go on to Sunday and try and get what we can from that one.”

What may aid United’s cause is the return of some of their sidelined stars, with Calum Butcher returning from suspension and Jeando Fuchs and Dylan Levitt pushing to be fit after sitting out the match at Fir Park through injury.

“Obviously we need our injured players to come back,” said Edwards.

“We probably need a few more kilos on the pitch. We are a bit light at the minute, suspensions and injuries have taken away guys who have been big players for us and we do miss them.

“The lads who have come in and done well were just lacking a bit of streetwise against a very streetwise team [against Motherwell].”

On a personal level, Edwards was over the moon to be appointed club captain by manager Courts at the end of November, though he would like to get his first win while wearing the armband sooner rather than later.

He says taking up the role is yet another signal of how settled he is at Tannadice, feeling as if he has found a home after a rocky start to life at the club.

“I do yeah,” he said. “Everyone knows I struggled when I came up, form-wise then I got injured and struggled to catch up with some form.

“Off the pitch it was hard too, bouncing from hotel to hotel. As soon as I found my feet on the pitch and off it, I have never looked back.

“I would rather be talking about the team winning but personally I am happy to have got where I am now and have the armband and captain the club.

“I came up on my own so I was on my own. It was covid so travel restrictions were in place and you couldn’t go and view places where you wanted to live.

“It was just a case of getting over that little patch where there wasn’t much you could do about it, getting myself back fit and back playing games.

“I took my time to get my form but once I got it, I kicked on from there.”