UEFA are assessing damage caused to the replacement stadium for Dundee United’s Europa League second leg against AEK Athens.

More doubt has been cast on the venue in the last 24 hours.

With the recently-laid pitch unplayable at AEK’s home ground, the Olympic Stadium, the Greek club on Tuesday secured a deal to play at Nea Smyrni Stadium, the home of Panionios.

However, damage was caused to the pitch and goalposts on Tuesday night in an apparent attempt to sabotage the contest.

UEFA officials were due to inspect the stadium before United arrive in the Greek capital but AEK, who lead 1-0, remain confident the tie will go ahead as scheduled.

An AEK spokeswoman said: “There was damage but nothing has changed so far.

“It’s not as bad as it looks, although I accept it looks bad in the photographs.

“Should something change there will be an announcement right away on our website in Greek and English.”

AEK also played down fears that the 11,700-capacity stadium would not be able to accommodate the number of ticket-holders.

“We have already issued an announcement that the fans who have purchased tickets or season tickets will be allowed in,” the spokeswoman added.

“The stadium is big enough for the tickets sold, ticket sales are not an issue.

“In Greece a lot of people buy season tickets to support the club but do not go to every game.”

The vandalism was the latest episode in a week of uncertainty over the fixture.

The Olympic Stadium pitch was deemed unplayable on Monday after the new surface failed to bed amid problems with watering.

United were initially told the match could be moved almost 200 miles away to Volos but the Tayside club were understandably angered by that prospect.

AEK were given a deadline of noon on Tuesday by UEFA to find an alternative venue and were then allowed an extra four hours.

It was then confirmed that the match would be played in the home of their rivals Panionios, which is just more than two miles south of Athens city centre.

United have sold most of their allocation of 800 tickets for their first European away fixture in five years, but told supporters that new arrangements could not be released until after AEK held a meeting with police this morning.

UEFA have confirmed their officials were assessing the stadium but would not be in a position to comment until Wednesday afternoon.

Terry Butcher hailed Inverness’ 4-0 victory over Dundee United as the most impressive performance during his time in charge of the club.

An Adam Rooney double and two terrific strikes from Kevin McCann and Russell Duncan gave the Highlanders an emphatic win over a below-par Dundee United, who appeared jaded following their Europa League exertions against AEK Athens on Thursday evening.

Butcher said: “It was a sensational performance. That was the best performance of any team I have managed at Inverness Caley Thistle.

“We have beaten Rangers before and we won 7-0 last year at Ayr but for the quality of the performance, today was the best.”

The Caley boss was particularly impressed with the goals scored by McCann and Duncan.

He added: “Kevin McCann’s was a great strike and it was a JFK moment when Russell scored, you will remember where you were as he never scores, even in training.

“The second and third goals came very close together and that gave us a massive lift.

“It was an incredible display and we now have a big game on Wednesday against Neale Cooper’s Peterhead.

“We wanted to make an impact in the SPL and we did that for 45 minutes against Celtic last week and I’m ecstatic with the performance today.”

Dundee United manager Peter Houston was scathing of his side’s performance. The United manager also revealed that the Tannadice club have been contacted by Middlesbrough about the availability of winger Craig Conway.

When asked if it would be Conway’s last game for United, Houston said: “I don’t know but that may have been going through his head as I didn’t think he performed anywhere near his usual standards.

“Middlesbrough have sent an email saying they are going to make a bid but at this time they haven’t.

“If that is going through his head I should maybe have thought about not playing him. Craig is an honest lad and if the move comes off for him then great – but we haven’t seen the colour of their money yet.

“I’m sure if they are sending an email on a Saturday then a bid is imminent.

“I would rather they didn’t make a bid as I would prefer we kept Craig Conway. His mind must be in turmoil but I can’t prevent that.

“The one thing we can prevent is if the bid is not the proper estimation of what myself and the chairman think then they won’t get him.”

The United boss believes the heavy defeat may be the “kick up the backsides” his players need.

He added: “That was the poorest I have seen.

“It just proves the things I have been trying to get into their heads about resting on their laurels because last season is over and done with and the fans who gave so much credit to them will quickly change with any more performances like that.

“I can understand them booing us off the park at the end. I accept it and I will look at myself in the mirror and the team and see what we have to do.

“Inverness were sharper and hungrier than us and I could have made 10 substitutions today – that is the disappointing thing for me.”

Kenny Miller’s scoring run continued as he claimed a hat-trick in Rangers’ 3-0 SPL win at Hibernian, while Celtic and Inverness both won 4-0.

Miller pounced three times in the second half at Easter Road on Sunday to secure the points and add to the goal he netted in last week’s opening-day win over Kilmarnock.

Both teams had a man sent off just before half-time when Kyle Lafferty and Kevin McBride were both shown straight red cards, although Walter Smith’s men looked sharper after the break despite the reduction in personnel.

New Rangers signing Vladimir Weiss had to settle for a place on the bench but was introduced after the break and impressed, setting up the second goal.

Celtic produced an assured display to dismantle St Mirren at Parkhead with an easy victory that was never in serious doubt.

First-half goals from Joe Ledley and Shaun Maloney were added to after the break by youngster James Forrest, who outlined his immense potential throughout, and Ki Sung Yueng.

Ki completed the rout with an outstanding strike from 25 yards nine minutes from time.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle picked up their first win since returning to Scotland’s top flight with a stunning rout of Dundee United at Tannadice.

Kevin McCann, the right-back on loan from Hibernian, broke the deadlock, Adam Rooney coolly slotted home the second and Russell Duncan added a spectacular third with an audacious half-volley.

Rooney rounded off the scoring with a penalty after 82 minutes as United’s Europa League exertions against AEK Athens on Thursday night appeared to have caught up with them.

In Sunday’s other game, Nick Blackman’s first goal for Motherwell gave his side their first win of the season, a 1-0 victory at Kilmarnock.

The on-loan Blackburn striker, making his first start, turned home a Chris Humphrey cross from close range nine minutes before the interval. It proved sufficient to settle a game largely lacking in real goalmouth action.

Manuel Pascali was denied a last-minute equaliser by an excellent Darren Randolph save, leaving Kilmarnock still searching for their first points of the campaign.

Daniel Majstorovic is fully prepared for the demands of playing for Celtic and has vowed to wrest the title back from Old Firm rivals Rangers.

The Sweden defender was unveiled at Celtic Park on Monday after completing his move from AEK Athens, who were unable to keep financing his salary.

The 33-year-old has immediately realised the importance of preventing Rangers claiming a third successive SPL title.

And Neil Lennon’s eighth summer signing believes his two-year spell in Greece has given him the ideal grounding in dealing with the expectations of fans.

AEK Athens coach Dusan Bajevic was attacked by his own supporters after his team lost a pre-season friendly at Kallithea this month so Majstorovic is unlikely to be fazed by the demands of playing in the Old Firm arena.

“Expectations are always high at big clubs, especially from the fans and the media,” the Swede said. “This is part of the job and you have to handle it. The derbies between Panathinaikos, AEK Athens, Olympiakos are the same, it’s high pressure.

“The fans are really, really crazy. Over there it’s not football, it is really a religion. I’m used to this kind of pressure and I’m looking forward to it.

“Big clubs always have big pressure. You need to get used to it and handle it. The people who can’t handle it are not ready to play for a big club.”

Majstorovic, whose former clubs include Malmo, FC Twente and Basle, knows that Celtic fans demand the championship and the imposing centre-back is determined to deliver.

“First of all they will see a player who always gives 100% on the field,” he said. “To take back the title for Celtic is the most important thing.”

The Swede must dislodge either Glenn Loovens or Jos Hooiveld from central defence but he has not left Athens to sit on the bench and he could play in Thursday’s Europa League play-off first leg against Utrecht at Celtic Park if Lennon chooses him as his one available addition to his registered 25-man squad.

Majstorovic said: “Hopefully I will be part of the team. I’m really looking forward to being part of the team as quickly as possible.

“Wherever I have been, I was playing and I was an important player for the team.

“I tried to be a leader in the team and I will do the same here. It is a big club with winners in all the positions but I’m still very, very hungry even though I’m 33.”

Majstorovic completed his move to Celtic seven days after the club first expressed their interest and he is eager to seize his opportunity.

He added: “Last week I was focused for the season coming up with AEK Athens. We played very well in pre-season.

“I wasn’t thinking about this but when you have an opportunity to be part of this massive club with fans all over the world and with a great reputation in Europe, then all the players who have this chance would be proud. I’m here and I’m very happy.

“I’m a winner and I want to be part of the team to take back the title. This club should always be looking to win the title. I’m very hungry.”

Celtic have signed Sweden international defender Daniel Majstorovic on a two-year contract from AEK Athens, the SPL club have confirmed.

Majstorovic, who arrives at Parkhead on a free transfer, becomes Neil Lennon’s eighth major signing of the summer.

He played from the start in his country’s 3-0 win over Scotland last week.

The 33-year-old centre-half, who has been released by the cash-strapped Greek club, will meet the media at Celtic Park this afternoon.

Lennon is not finished with the refurbishment of his squad.

The Irishman is also expected to complete the signing of Honduras international defender Emilio Izaguirre this week.

Izaguirre arrived in Glasgow over the weekend and is undergoing a medical ahead of a reported £600,000 move.