DUTV
STORY OF THE MATCH | RANGERS (A)
25th November 2024
Peter Houston made just two changes to the side which lost heavily to Rangers in midweek. Gavin Gunning was in for Garry Kenneth and in place of Johnny Russell, Ritchie Ryan made his first start for the Tangerines after making thirteen substitute appearances since joining the Club in January. Celtic showed six changes with Fraser Forster, Mikael Lustig, Charlie Mulgrew, Adam Matthews, Scott Brown and Gary Hooper coming into the line up.
First Half:
There was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges with Celtic doing much of the pressing. Commons fed the ball back to Brown in the tenth minute but United cleared the danger. Ten minutes later Mackay-Steven won a corner on the left and it was quickly played short to Dixon. He swung over a tempting cross and, with the Celtic defence static, Robertson found himself unmarked and neatly headed home to give United the lead.
Celtic responded with a dangerous ball in from Izaguirre but there were no takers in the box. Pernis was then unable to hold a Commonsr effort but Dillon cleared the danger. Celtic continued to threaten as the first half drew to a close and a 25 yard effort from Hooper was parried by Pernis. In the final minute of the half, Hooper crossed for Stokes who failed to contact.
Second Half:
The ineffective Stokes was replaced at the interval by rising star Tony Watts but the pattern of play remained very much unchanged with Celtic having most of the possession and United defending well and using the ball on the break. Robertson fired over the bar and then Mulgrew might have done better than fire over the bar from a Commons corner and Watt headed straight at Pernis from Lustig's cross. Pernis then saved low after Watt tried his luck again.
Rogne was replaced by Wanyama who was booked soon after for a heavy challenge on Rankin. The referee had originally played advantage with Mackay-Steven bearing in on goal but his shot went high and wide. Daly then had a shot blocked by Mulgrew and soon after, Wanyama was quick enough to stop Rankin getting his effort on target. Neilson and Mackay-Steven were replaced by Watson and Russell for United and Celtic brought on McGeouch for Brown.
There were loud appeals for a Celtic penalty when Izaguirre's attempted cross hit the arm of Watson in the box but there was no intent and the referee rightly waved claims away. United brought on Kenneth for Gunning and as the match was nearing its conclusion Hooper had a chance to level but his low drive across the face of the goal slipped wide. United finished on the attack with Mulgrew halting Russell's progress in a good position.
Summary:
With the majority of possession and chances, Celtic will no doubt feel hard done by, but it was not all one way traffic. United played the game perfectly, defending well and making several chances on the break. Most importantly United gained the result which secures fourth place in the SPL and a Europa League spot.
Man of the Match:
With a well taken goal and a solid display in the centre of the park, Scott Robertson takes the award.
Dundee United: Pernis, Neilson (Watson 66),Dillon, Gunning (Kenneth 82), Dixon, Flood, Robertson, Rankin, Ryan, Mackay-Steven (Russell 68), Daly. Unused Subs: Banks, Swanson, Armstrong, Dow.
Celtic: Forster, Matthews, Izaguirre, Brown (McGeouch 71), Stokes (Watt 46), Commons, Ledley, Mulgrew, Lustig, Rogne (Wanyama 56), Hooper. Unused Subs: Zaluska, Cha Du-Ri, Bangura, Ibrahim.
First Half:
There was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges with Celtic doing much of the pressing. Commons fed the ball back to Brown in the tenth minute but United cleared the danger. Ten minutes later Mackay-Steven won a corner on the left and it was quickly played short to Dixon. He swung over a tempting cross and, with the Celtic defence static, Robertson found himself unmarked and neatly headed home to give United the lead.
Celtic responded with a dangerous ball in from Izaguirre but there were no takers in the box. Pernis was then unable to hold a Commonsr effort but Dillon cleared the danger. Celtic continued to threaten as the first half drew to a close and a 25 yard effort from Hooper was parried by Pernis. In the final minute of the half, Hooper crossed for Stokes who failed to contact.
Second Half:
The ineffective Stokes was replaced at the interval by rising star Tony Watts but the pattern of play remained very much unchanged with Celtic having most of the possession and United defending well and using the ball on the break. Robertson fired over the bar and then Mulgrew might have done better than fire over the bar from a Commons corner and Watt headed straight at Pernis from Lustig's cross. Pernis then saved low after Watt tried his luck again.
Rogne was replaced by Wanyama who was booked soon after for a heavy challenge on Rankin. The referee had originally played advantage with Mackay-Steven bearing in on goal but his shot went high and wide. Daly then had a shot blocked by Mulgrew and soon after, Wanyama was quick enough to stop Rankin getting his effort on target. Neilson and Mackay-Steven were replaced by Watson and Russell for United and Celtic brought on McGeouch for Brown.
There were loud appeals for a Celtic penalty when Izaguirre's attempted cross hit the arm of Watson in the box but there was no intent and the referee rightly waved claims away. United brought on Kenneth for Gunning and as the match was nearing its conclusion Hooper had a chance to level but his low drive across the face of the goal slipped wide. United finished on the attack with Mulgrew halting Russell's progress in a good position.
Summary:
With the majority of possession and chances, Celtic will no doubt feel hard done by, but it was not all one way traffic. United played the game perfectly, defending well and making several chances on the break. Most importantly United gained the result which secures fourth place in the SPL and a Europa League spot.
Man of the Match:
With a well taken goal and a solid display in the centre of the park, Scott Robertson takes the award.
Dundee United: Pernis, Neilson (Watson 66),Dillon, Gunning (Kenneth 82), Dixon, Flood, Robertson, Rankin, Ryan, Mackay-Steven (Russell 68), Daly. Unused Subs: Banks, Swanson, Armstrong, Dow.
Celtic: Forster, Matthews, Izaguirre, Brown (McGeouch 71), Stokes (Watt 46), Commons, Ledley, Mulgrew, Lustig, Rogne (Wanyama 56), Hooper. Unused Subs: Zaluska, Cha Du-Ri, Bangura, Ibrahim.
