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LOYALTY PERIOD EXTENDED
29th April 2024
The side lined up with only three players with first team experience, those being, Dodds, Grady and Samuel. The remainder of the side was selected from the ranks of the Youth team with McLean in goal joined by Abbot, Callaghan, McAleenan, Gardiner, Andreoni, Robertson and Cameron.
Celtic had most of the first half possession and carved out a number of openings, taking the lead as early as the third minute with a Cuthbert header from a Wallace corner. The Glasgow side might have added to their tally but McGeady, Quinn, Maloney and Quinn all missed the target with the later also being foiled by McLean twice. For United, Samuel and Grady had a couple of half chances but there was no real threat to the Celtic goal.
After the break United introduced Goodwillie for McAleenan due to injury and it was a revitalised United that took the game to Celtic. Cameron fired narrowly past a minute after the restart and then Gardiner and Callaghan both put attempts over the bar before Goodwillie began creating problems for the Celtic rearguard. He had one effort blocked and was denied a penalty when he appeared to be tripped in the box. His persistence almost paid off when he was just wide after a flick-on from Grady. A goal looked certain and after Goodwillie had his effort saved, Cameron hit the post with the first rebound but managed to squeeze in a second attempt to level the match. Celtic had a chance to go back in front but McLean saved well from sub McGlinchey. Cameron and Goodwillie both had chances before the end but it finished level and the result was just about right.
After the match David Bowman commented, "The first half belonged to Celtic and they deserved to be in front but after the break our players responded to the challenge and every one of them has to be praised for the effort they put in to take something from the game."
Celtic had most of the first half possession and carved out a number of openings, taking the lead as early as the third minute with a Cuthbert header from a Wallace corner. The Glasgow side might have added to their tally but McGeady, Quinn, Maloney and Quinn all missed the target with the later also being foiled by McLean twice. For United, Samuel and Grady had a couple of half chances but there was no real threat to the Celtic goal.
After the break United introduced Goodwillie for McAleenan due to injury and it was a revitalised United that took the game to Celtic. Cameron fired narrowly past a minute after the restart and then Gardiner and Callaghan both put attempts over the bar before Goodwillie began creating problems for the Celtic rearguard. He had one effort blocked and was denied a penalty when he appeared to be tripped in the box. His persistence almost paid off when he was just wide after a flick-on from Grady. A goal looked certain and after Goodwillie had his effort saved, Cameron hit the post with the first rebound but managed to squeeze in a second attempt to level the match. Celtic had a chance to go back in front but McLean saved well from sub McGlinchey. Cameron and Goodwillie both had chances before the end but it finished level and the result was just about right.
After the match David Bowman commented, "The first half belonged to Celtic and they deserved to be in front but after the break our players responded to the challenge and every one of them has to be praised for the effort they put in to take something from the game."
