CELTIC want to slam the title door shut on Tayside over the next four days - and clear the way for a championship party at Pittodrie on May 10.

The Hoops recognise Aberdeen's players and fans will be watching closely when they play Dundee tonight to see if the league leaders suffer any reaction to Sunday's Treble crash.

Ronny Deila's bruised Bhoys have to play just across the road on Sunday against United in the first of their post-split fixtures.

They then host Dundee a week on Friday, and a hat-trick of victories would not only confirm the Hoops have moved on from their controversial semi-final exit, but put them within two points of making it four titles in a row.

Indeed, they would need only to avoid defeat at Pittodrie to cross the finishing line.

Gary Mackay-Steven senses they are in the mood to do just that, having already picked themselves up and brushed themselves down from the weekend blow.

He said: "It's a great opportunity to show we have the character to bounce back and not open the door to Aberdeen.

"After a disappointment like Sunday's, we all want the next game to come as soon as possible, and we've got that tonight.

"We're all in a positive mode. We just need to look at what is still in our hands and put all our focus into the game against Dundee.

"We can't allow our heads to be down because of what happened in the semi-final. Of course, losing the chance to win a Treble is a huge blow.

"That's gone, but the league is still a massive priority for us, and we're all desperate to add that to the League Cup we've already won.

"It could still turn out to be a great season for us, and that's why we have to look forward, not back."

Though Josh Meekings has now been cited by the SFA Compliance Officer for denying the Hoops a clear scoring opportunity, the plan is to bring down the shutters on the Hampden hand-gate.

Mackay-Steven saw the incident from his seat in the stand on Sunday, and is an advocate of TV replays being available to match officials.

For now, though, along with Stuart Armstrong - who was also cup-tied - and Anthony Stokes, who was serving a ban, the flying winger is itching to get back into action tonight and help provide the fresh legs the side needs after Sunday's 10-man struggle into extra time.

Craig Gordon is available as his one-game ban for the red card on Sunday does not come into effect until his next Scottish Cup-tie.

Mackay-Steven believes the depth of squad of which he is now a major part can be their trump card in the run-in.

He said: "It's definitely an added bonus for us that we have more players who are now eligible to play.

"A lot of boys have played a lot of games this season, but they are as fit as can be and will be fit for tonight.

"But the manager has added options with myself, Stuart and Anthony available again."

It has been a long and demanding season for the Hoops since they kicked it off in July with a Champions League qualifier in Iceland.

But with six games to go, the home straight is now in sight, and the Celtic players are ready to put in their final kick for the line.

Mackay-Steven has his first medal very much in his sights, but he acknowledges there remain several opportunities to trip up, and is determined not to allow complacency to be their downfall.

He said: "We're not getting ahead of ourselves. Even though there are only a few more games to go, it is far from over. We just need to concentrate on the next one we have to play, which is against Dundee tonight.

"We have to focus on doing what we have been doing before Sunday's defeat. Our form in the league has been good, so that's what we want to get back to."