The hosts were clinical as we failed to get started in the East End of Glasgow.

Celtic 3 (McGregor 23', Jota 35', Idah 84')

Dundee United 0

3pm Saturday 15 February 2025

Celtic Park

William Hill Premiership

Images: Richard Wiseman (Club Photographer)

The Team Talk

Jim Goodwin made four changes to the DUFC XI this afternoon as we clashed with the league leaders.

Kevin Holt and Will Ferry both missed out through injury while Ryan Strain and Ruari Paton dropped to the bench. 

Their replacements came in the shape of Ross Graham and Ross Docherty - the latter back to captain the side in his first start since January's trip to Paisley. Glenn Middleton and Kai Fotheringham also returned as starters after impressing on this turf last month when we fell just short in Glasgow. 

A Timid Start

It was backs-to-the-wall stuff as Celtic eventually made their pressure pay off. 

Adam Idah missed the first real chance of the match after connecting with a low Jeffery Schlupp cross but diverting his first-time effort over Jack Walton's crossbar. 

Callum McGregor opened the scoring with the game's first real moment of quality - jinking by a number of tangerine shirts before firing low into the near corner from the edge of the United penalty area midway through the first half.

We looked to reply just minutes later as Middleton sized up Anthony Ralston before working a cross for Allan Campbell who just couldn't connect on the slide. 

Twice Celtic looked to double their advantage as Schlupp's curling effort cracked the post before Walton denied Adam Idah's header from point-blank range. 

Celtic Double Down

Their second eventually did come on the following attack as Jota cut inside on his right foot and curled a low effort into the far corner just over ten minutes from the half. 

A Mountain to Climb

It was certainly an improved second-half showing as we engaged the hosts higher up the park. Efforts from Docherty and Campbell were the closest we came before Glenn Middleton forced Kasper Schmeichel into his only save with a low, left-footed effort. 

We rang out five changes, but our slim hopes of any fightback were put to bed as Idah's final touch wrapped up the points - latching onto Declan Gallagher's header before firing a fierce finish into the top corner. 

Post-Match Thoughts

Teamlines

Celtic

Starting XI: Schmeichel, Trusty, Neves Filipe, Idah, Yang, McCowan, Schlupp, Carter-Vickers, Hatate, McGregor (c), Ralston

Subs: Sinisalo, Johnston, Taylor, Scales, Kühn, Kenny, Engels, Maeda, Murray

 

Dundee United

 

 

Starting XI: Walton, Ševelj, Graham, Middleton, Adegboyega, Stephenson, Fotheringham, Dalby, Campbell, Docherty (c), Gallagher

Subs: Richards, Strain, Trapanovski, Moult, Babunski, van der Sande, Paton, Cleall-Harding

Next Up

Tannadice awaits with two huge home tests on the horizon... 

Motherwell are up first next Saturday before Hibernian make the journey to Tayside for a midweek battle under the lights. 

CLICK HERE for tickets!

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