McMullan: Celtic Park clashes are perfect promotion motivation

Dundee United winger Paul McMullan admits the chance to play at Celtic Park rather than Gayfield should be enough motivation in itself to spur his team on to promotion.

United begin their third consecutive Ladbrokes Premiership play-off campaign at Inverness on Tuesday in the first leg of the semi-finals.

Failure would see United playing derbies against relegated Dundee and League One champions Arbroath next season but McMullan has his sights set on bigger fish.

The former Celtic youth player told United's Arabzone online channel: "You just see the difference in the fixtures, you could be going away to Arbroath or wherever next season, or you could be going away to Parkhead. That in itself is enough motivation.

"You see the size of the club, you see everybody getting involved, we shouldn't be where we are.

"But it's only us that can change it and that's what we are focused on.''

United won 2-0 at Inverness last month to seal second place and a less challenging play-off schedule, with Caley Thistle coming through a quarter-final with a 4-2 aggregate win over Ayr on Saturday.

However, Robbie Neilson's side face greater weight of expectation with their supporters desperate to end their exile from the top flight.

McMullan, though, is relishing the challenge.

"We're excited,'' he said. "Obviously the last game was disappointing but before that we were on a good run of form, the guys were playing well, and hopefully we can carry that through to the play-offs. If we do, I am confident we can have a good run.

"I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait for the first game, just to get going.''

Caley Thistle gave their supporters a lift ahead of the first leg by announcing the pre-contract signing of former Hearts, Hibernian and Dundee United forward James Keatings on a two-year deal.

The 27-year-old has already left Hamilton after struggling for game time under Brian Rice.