The rampant Hoops are 21 points clear of administration-hit Rangers at the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with a Scottish Communities League Cup final at Hampden against Kilmarnock to look forward to next week.

However, in a keenly-awaited cup tie, they will come up against a fourth-placed United side who have won their last three matches and kept a clean sheet in their last four, all of which has impressed the Irishman.

"I think they could end up being third in the table," Lennon told CelticTV.

"The draw couldn't have been tougher, Dundee United away with the form they are in.

"United are really are dangerous opponents

"Peter Houston's teams always come on strong in the second half of the season and they have done that again.

"They are on a fantastic run, four or five clean sheets, scoring goals and winning games so it sets it up for a great game of football.

"But it is a good ground for us.

"I'm sure it will be a packed house and I think the players are really looking forward to it."

Lennon, though, knows victory will see the Parkhead men take a big step towards a possible treble this season.

The former Celtic skipper knows he and his much-changed squad have come a long way since he replaced Tony Mowbray, first as interim boss, two years ago.

He said: "When I took over we had McGeady, Boruc, Robbie Keane, Fortune, Diomansy Kamara, great players and in a really strong squad then.

"But this time, there is a really strong spirit and togetherness.

"They are younger, hungrier and give everything for the club.

"They don't know when they are beaten and I love that about them.

"We are always looking to improve and to get that extra edge.

"Obviously that has evolved over two years.

"You learn from the mistakes you make, things you have worked on that have improved the team and you take all that on board to try to move on."