Celtic striker Amido Balde believes he is on course to book himself a regular place in Neil Lennon’s starting line-up.

The Portuguese striker has taken time to settle after moving from Vitoria Guimaraes in the summer but showed his worth by netting the winner against Partick Thistle last weekend.

The 22 year-old is now hoping his goal against the Jags will earn him another chance against Dundee United at Parkhead on Saturday, with a crucial Champions League encounter against Ajax in Amsterdam on the horizon.

“It was very important for myself and for the club. But I’m still new here so I’m eager to learn and work,” he said. “I know the goals will come. It’s all about learning little by little at this stage.

Celtic, six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership with a game in hand, face a United side who will be smarting after a controversial extra-time defeat against Inverness in the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.

Elsewhere bottom side Hearts host St Johnstone at Tynecastle. The Jambos are 15 points from safety, but will have been boosted by knocking city rivals Hibernian out of the League Cup.

Inverness host a Kilmarnock side that have won their past two matches and second-bottom St Mirren could leapfrog Ross County if they can pick up three points against Derek Adams’s side in Paisley.

On Sunday Motherwell will attempt to return to winning ways when Hibs visit Fir Park, while on Monday second-placed Aberdeen take on Partick Thistle at Pittodrie.