First Team
Match Report | Rangers 1-1 Dundee United
23rd November 2024
Two goals in the final ten minutes this afternoon earned United their first point at Celtic Park since 1997. Despite being by far the better side in the opening 45 minutes, United found themselves 3-1 behind with ten minutes to go before a bold substitution by Craig Brewster instigated a tremendous comeback.
David Fernandez had equalised John Hartson's opener in the first half, before goals by Zurawski and Petrov put Celtic into a seemingly unassailable lead. However, the introduction of Lee Miller changed the game, with the striker himself scoring within a minute of his introduction, and Fernandez slotting in the equaliser four minutes from time.
Craig Brewster made two changes to the side which drew against Aberdeen last weekend, with Barry Robson replacing Charlie Mulgrew, who was not given permission to face his former side. The other change saw Collin Samuel replace Lee Miller, who dropped to the bench.
Celtic also made two changes from their previous game, with Ross Wallace replacing Mo Camara, and former United defender Mark Wilson making his debut against his former club in place of Paul Telfer.
Robson - playing in an unfamiliar left back role, carved out the first chance of the match, with his cross finding Brebner at the back post. The midfielder's header across goal fell into the path of David Fernandez, whose shot was blocked at close range by Virgo.
Following a slow start, the home side came unto the game, and opened the scoring in the ninth minute from their first clear opportunity to exert pressure on their visitors. Robson was penalised for a foul on Wilson on the touchline, and from Nakamura's free kick to the far post, John Hartson found himself unmarked five yards out and with a routine header to give his side the lead. Two minutes later Nakamura again created an opportunity, but Stan Varga's header glanced wide of the far post.
Although behind at an early stage, United looked composed and settled, and created a couple of good chances in the minutes following the opening goal, with McIntyre's header from Robson's cross turned wide at full stretch by Boruc, then McInnes's shot from 20 yards sailing agonisingly inches wide.
United continued to look the better side for the remainder of the first half, and Robson was the central architect of the bulk of the pressure. Robson stepped up to take a free kick just short of the half hour, but Samuel was unable to direct his header goalward. McIntyre's header moments later from another Robson free kick was saved by Boruc.
Quite fittingly, it was Robson who put on a virtuoso sequence of crosses into the area which led to United's equaliser. After his initial cross was cleared for a corner, Robson put in the corner which caused confusion in the penalty area. The ball was cleared back to Robson, who was fouled, and his third cross in the space of a minute eventually found its way to David Fernandez, who finished coolly into the corner of the net.
Shortly before half time, Stillie did exceptionally well to parry a John Hartson header and keep the scoreline level at the break which was the least which the Tangerines deserved.
Half Time: Celtic 1-1 Dundee United
In an almost instant replay of the beginning of the previous 45 minutes, United found themselves behind before they knew. This time it was Maciej Zurawski who found himself unmarked from a Maloney free kick to steer the ball into the corner.
Once again, though, United were quickly punished for a momentary lapse in concentration after Brebner had fouled the counter attacking Wallace deep in the United half. Maloney swung in the free kick, and this time it was Majiec Zurawski who was unmarked in the middle, and the Pole gave Stillie no chance with a header into the far corner.
Celtic continued to exert the bulk of the pressure thereafter, and the game looked like it was put beyond United in the 67th minute when Stilian Petrov took aim with an ambitious effort from 30 yards, which was cruelly deflected beyond Stillie.
However, Craig Brewster boldly brought on another striker with ten minutes later in the shape of Lee Miller. Within a minute, Miller took advantage of Jim McIntyre's knock down and steered the ball into the net with Celtic's supporters screaming in vain for an offside decision.
Taking advantage of the uncertainty and anxiety which sweeped the stadium thereafter, United then equalised six minutes later when David Fernandez's perfectly timed run was found by McIntyre's pass, with the Spaniard showing great composure in rounding Boruc and shooting into the empty net.
Full Time: Celtic 3-3 Dundee United
Summary: What a final ten minutes! It looked as if the Tangerines were going to be on the end of another brave defeat - having had the better of the first half - until an inspired substitution by Brewster brought a change around in fortunes. Over the piece, the composure on the ball and the tenacity and commitment shown by the United side merited the point.
Man of the Match: Given the characteristics of the side today, snapping into tackles, showing composure on the ball and being committed to the cause, it is difficult to single out one man. Derek McInnes and Mark Kerr were outstanding in the midfield in the first half, and both Samuel and Fernandez showed quality in forward positions which troubled the Celtic defence. However, in view of the fact that he was asked to play out of position as well as get forward to supply good balls into the box, the award goes to Barry Robson whose delivery into the box along with his stamina were superb.
Teams:
Celtic:
Boruc, Wilson, Virgo, Varga, Wallace, Nakamura (Pearson 72), Lennon, Petrov, Maloney, Zurawski, Hartson.
Subs Not Used:
Marshall (GK), Camara, McManus, Keane, McGlinchey, Quinn.
Dundee United:
Stillie, Duff, McCracken, Archibald, Robson, Brebner, Kerr, McInnes (Miller 80), Fernandez (Goodwillie 90), McIntyre, Samuel.
Subs Not Used:
Samson (GK), Kenneth, Gardiner, Cameron, Robertson.
Attendance: 59,875
Referee: Mike Ritchie
Click here for the full report by Scott Simpson.
David Fernandez had equalised John Hartson's opener in the first half, before goals by Zurawski and Petrov put Celtic into a seemingly unassailable lead. However, the introduction of Lee Miller changed the game, with the striker himself scoring within a minute of his introduction, and Fernandez slotting in the equaliser four minutes from time.
Craig Brewster made two changes to the side which drew against Aberdeen last weekend, with Barry Robson replacing Charlie Mulgrew, who was not given permission to face his former side. The other change saw Collin Samuel replace Lee Miller, who dropped to the bench.
Celtic also made two changes from their previous game, with Ross Wallace replacing Mo Camara, and former United defender Mark Wilson making his debut against his former club in place of Paul Telfer.
Robson - playing in an unfamiliar left back role, carved out the first chance of the match, with his cross finding Brebner at the back post. The midfielder's header across goal fell into the path of David Fernandez, whose shot was blocked at close range by Virgo.
Following a slow start, the home side came unto the game, and opened the scoring in the ninth minute from their first clear opportunity to exert pressure on their visitors. Robson was penalised for a foul on Wilson on the touchline, and from Nakamura's free kick to the far post, John Hartson found himself unmarked five yards out and with a routine header to give his side the lead. Two minutes later Nakamura again created an opportunity, but Stan Varga's header glanced wide of the far post.
Although behind at an early stage, United looked composed and settled, and created a couple of good chances in the minutes following the opening goal, with McIntyre's header from Robson's cross turned wide at full stretch by Boruc, then McInnes's shot from 20 yards sailing agonisingly inches wide.
United continued to look the better side for the remainder of the first half, and Robson was the central architect of the bulk of the pressure. Robson stepped up to take a free kick just short of the half hour, but Samuel was unable to direct his header goalward. McIntyre's header moments later from another Robson free kick was saved by Boruc.
Quite fittingly, it was Robson who put on a virtuoso sequence of crosses into the area which led to United's equaliser. After his initial cross was cleared for a corner, Robson put in the corner which caused confusion in the penalty area. The ball was cleared back to Robson, who was fouled, and his third cross in the space of a minute eventually found its way to David Fernandez, who finished coolly into the corner of the net.
Shortly before half time, Stillie did exceptionally well to parry a John Hartson header and keep the scoreline level at the break which was the least which the Tangerines deserved.
Half Time: Celtic 1-1 Dundee United
In an almost instant replay of the beginning of the previous 45 minutes, United found themselves behind before they knew. This time it was Maciej Zurawski who found himself unmarked from a Maloney free kick to steer the ball into the corner.
Once again, though, United were quickly punished for a momentary lapse in concentration after Brebner had fouled the counter attacking Wallace deep in the United half. Maloney swung in the free kick, and this time it was Majiec Zurawski who was unmarked in the middle, and the Pole gave Stillie no chance with a header into the far corner.
Celtic continued to exert the bulk of the pressure thereafter, and the game looked like it was put beyond United in the 67th minute when Stilian Petrov took aim with an ambitious effort from 30 yards, which was cruelly deflected beyond Stillie.
However, Craig Brewster boldly brought on another striker with ten minutes later in the shape of Lee Miller. Within a minute, Miller took advantage of Jim McIntyre's knock down and steered the ball into the net with Celtic's supporters screaming in vain for an offside decision.
Taking advantage of the uncertainty and anxiety which sweeped the stadium thereafter, United then equalised six minutes later when David Fernandez's perfectly timed run was found by McIntyre's pass, with the Spaniard showing great composure in rounding Boruc and shooting into the empty net.
Full Time: Celtic 3-3 Dundee United
Summary: What a final ten minutes! It looked as if the Tangerines were going to be on the end of another brave defeat - having had the better of the first half - until an inspired substitution by Brewster brought a change around in fortunes. Over the piece, the composure on the ball and the tenacity and commitment shown by the United side merited the point.
Man of the Match: Given the characteristics of the side today, snapping into tackles, showing composure on the ball and being committed to the cause, it is difficult to single out one man. Derek McInnes and Mark Kerr were outstanding in the midfield in the first half, and both Samuel and Fernandez showed quality in forward positions which troubled the Celtic defence. However, in view of the fact that he was asked to play out of position as well as get forward to supply good balls into the box, the award goes to Barry Robson whose delivery into the box along with his stamina were superb.
Teams:
Celtic:
Boruc, Wilson, Virgo, Varga, Wallace, Nakamura (Pearson 72), Lennon, Petrov, Maloney, Zurawski, Hartson.
Subs Not Used:
Marshall (GK), Camara, McManus, Keane, McGlinchey, Quinn.
Dundee United:
Stillie, Duff, McCracken, Archibald, Robson, Brebner, Kerr, McInnes (Miller 80), Fernandez (Goodwillie 90), McIntyre, Samuel.
Subs Not Used:
Samson (GK), Kenneth, Gardiner, Cameron, Robertson.
Attendance: 59,875
Referee: Mike Ritchie
Click here for the full report by Scott Simpson.
