DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
United and Celtic battled out an enthralling 2-2 draw at Tannadice this afternoon. The visitors had the best of the first half and were ahead at the break through Scott McDonald. However it was a complete turn around after the break and two goals from Fran Sandaza had United in control. With it looking as if United were going to break their ten year run of winless games against Celtic their hopes were shattered when a stunning volley from Lee Naylor handed Celtic a share of the spoils.
There were two changes to the United starting line-up for the visit of the champions. On-loan Paul Caddis was ineligible whilst Jon Daly was only fit enough to be listed as a substitute. Craig Conway returned to the starting eleven as did last week's goal scorer Fran Sandaza. Former United man Willo Flood had to be content with a place on the bench for the visitors.
With the wind blowing hard into the faces of United in the opening period they were up against it from the whistle. Early on McGeady went close with an effort from distance and then Hartley just missed with an effort from the edge of the penalty area. The deadlock was broken after 23 minutes when from a hotly disputed corner, Scott McDonald bundled the ball over the United goal line. Four minutes later United almost hit back when Buaben set up Conway who forced Boruc into a fine save. Ten minutes from the interval McDonald almost doubled Celtic's lead but Zaluska made an excellent save low to his right. As the half came to a close the visitors twice went close, first when McGeady charged in on goal only for Dixon to clear and from the resulting corner Gomis cleared a Venegoor of Hesselink header off of the goal line.
Within two minutes of the restart United were back on level terms. A brilliant corner from Dixon found the head of Sandaza and he bulleted his header into the roof of the net. With 57 minutes on the clock United had the game turned on its head. Weslowski caught the Celtic defence napping with a quick free kick to Dixon who sent in a low cross to the feet of Sandaza who made no mistake with a low shot past the helpless Boruc. The game was flowing from end to end and McDonald spurned a great chance for the visitors when he blasted over from 12 yards out. With ten minutes to go United must have thought it was their day when remarkably Caldwell shot wide from six yards with the goal gaping. However their relief was short lived when a minute later Lee Naylor connected with a Kenneth clearance and volleyed spectacularly past Zaluska.
Summing Up - A great contest between two teams playing good football in difficult conditions. United's second half display was excellent and almost won them the three points and it was only a piece of brilliance that cost them the victory.
Man of the match: Thanks to his two excellent second half strikes Fran Sandaza was United's top performer on the day.
Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Wilkie, Kenneth, Dixon, Wesolowski (David Robertson 87), Buaben, Gomis, Conway (Swanson 83), Feeney (Daly 84), Sandaza.
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Dillon, Shala, Goodwillie.
Booked: Feeney.
Goals: Sandaza 47, 58.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, O'Dea, Naylor, Nakamura (Flood 61), Hartley, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 75).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Wilson, Misun, Crosas, Mizuno.
Booked: McDonald.
Goals: McDonald 24, Naylor 81.
Att: 12,043
Ref: S Conroy
There were two changes to the United starting line-up for the visit of the champions. On-loan Paul Caddis was ineligible whilst Jon Daly was only fit enough to be listed as a substitute. Craig Conway returned to the starting eleven as did last week's goal scorer Fran Sandaza. Former United man Willo Flood had to be content with a place on the bench for the visitors.
With the wind blowing hard into the faces of United in the opening period they were up against it from the whistle. Early on McGeady went close with an effort from distance and then Hartley just missed with an effort from the edge of the penalty area. The deadlock was broken after 23 minutes when from a hotly disputed corner, Scott McDonald bundled the ball over the United goal line. Four minutes later United almost hit back when Buaben set up Conway who forced Boruc into a fine save. Ten minutes from the interval McDonald almost doubled Celtic's lead but Zaluska made an excellent save low to his right. As the half came to a close the visitors twice went close, first when McGeady charged in on goal only for Dixon to clear and from the resulting corner Gomis cleared a Venegoor of Hesselink header off of the goal line.
Within two minutes of the restart United were back on level terms. A brilliant corner from Dixon found the head of Sandaza and he bulleted his header into the roof of the net. With 57 minutes on the clock United had the game turned on its head. Weslowski caught the Celtic defence napping with a quick free kick to Dixon who sent in a low cross to the feet of Sandaza who made no mistake with a low shot past the helpless Boruc. The game was flowing from end to end and McDonald spurned a great chance for the visitors when he blasted over from 12 yards out. With ten minutes to go United must have thought it was their day when remarkably Caldwell shot wide from six yards with the goal gaping. However their relief was short lived when a minute later Lee Naylor connected with a Kenneth clearance and volleyed spectacularly past Zaluska.
Summing Up - A great contest between two teams playing good football in difficult conditions. United's second half display was excellent and almost won them the three points and it was only a piece of brilliance that cost them the victory.
Man of the match: Thanks to his two excellent second half strikes Fran Sandaza was United's top performer on the day.
Dundee Utd: Zaluska, Kovacevic, Wilkie, Kenneth, Dixon, Wesolowski (David Robertson 87), Buaben, Gomis, Conway (Swanson 83), Feeney (Daly 84), Sandaza.
Subs Not Used: McGovern, Dillon, Shala, Goodwillie.
Booked: Feeney.
Goals: Sandaza 47, 58.
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, O'Dea, Naylor, Nakamura (Flood 61), Hartley, Scott Brown, McGeady, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink (Samaras 75).
Subs Not Used: Mark Brown, Wilson, Misun, Crosas, Mizuno.
Booked: McDonald.
Goals: McDonald 24, Naylor 81.
Att: 12,043
Ref: S Conroy
