Griffiths Predicts More Red Mist

Photo by Jeff Holmes Celtic and Dundee United might both struggle to keep 11 players on the pitch in their fourth consecutive meeting on Saturday, according to Hoops striker Leigh Griffiths. Last night at Parkhead the home side won 4-0 in a William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final replay to book a last-four date with Inverness at Hampden next week, and it ended 10-a-side as Anthony Stokes and Ryan McGowan were dismissed in the closing minutes. Ronny Deila's side beat United in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden on Sunday when Tannadice skipper Sean Dillon was dismissed, adding to the three players, two from the Tannadice side, who were sent off in the first Scottish Cup tie on Tayside. Goals from Jason Denayer, Griffiths and Kris Commons had the home side on easy street in the replay when Hoops forward Stokes was red-carded in the 87th minute for lashing out at United midfielder Paul Paton. A minute later, Terrors full-back McGowan lunged into Celtic substitute Liam Henderson in the corner to also see red from referee Calum Murray before Virgil van Dijk made it 4-0 from close range. Both teams meet again in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park on Saturday and Griffiths, in a light-hearted manner, predicted more disciplinary problems. He said: "I think that is five (actually six) red cards in three games so if I was a betting man I would be putting money on a sending-off on Saturday. "I think the Dundee United players were getting a bit frustrated. "They might be sick of the sight of us but it is all about us and we are looking forward to Saturday and three points." Certainly the post-match rhetoric did little to calm the growing tensions between the two club. Deila accused McGowan of a perpetrating a possible career-ending tackle on Henderson. The Norwegian boss said: "It is stupid to tackle like that on the sidelines. "We need to get that out of football. It is a youngster standing there with a little trick. "You can either stay or go in with both feet, as I see it. You can injure him for life. "But I have to see it one more time. He must be frustrated, that's why he did it." United assistant manager Simon Donnelly's first thought was that McGowan's challenge was legal. The former Celtic striker said: "I will need to see it again. I have only seen it at game time and it was a strong fair, challenge but I might be wrong. "The Celtic reaction on the back of their player getting sent off maybe influences it but I will need to look at it again. "Was it any worse than Scott Brown's tackle two weeks ago? (in the first Scottish Cup game)."