First Team
CRAIG SIBBALD EXTENDS TANNADICE STAY
14th May 2024
Celtic and United served up another hard fought and entertaining encounter in Glasgow this afternoon, with the 1 v 1 score line accurately reflecting an even contest.
An unchanged United side started positively and went ahead after only six minutes. Gomis broke free from Caldwell down the left and his dangerous low cross was met by David Goodwillie. Although the striker's first shot was blocked, his second attempt rifled into the roof of the net leaving Boruc with no chance. Celtic's five man midfield struggled to make any early impression on a well marshalled United defence, though debutant McGinn was impressive on the right flank. But the home side were handed a controversial equaliser on 18 minutes. Brown's cross from the right struck Dods on the arm at point black range. It was clearly not an intentional handball - yet the linesman flagged for a foul. Fox's left foot set piece was headed into the net from four yards by unmarked Scott McDonald.
The hosts appeared to get a lift from the goal, but Weaver was still rarely called into action. With half time approaching a brilliant last minute block from Swanson was required to stop McDonald grabbing a second. United then almost went back in front after a mistake by Fox allowed Robertson a shot at goal, but Boruc parried and the ball was scrambled clear.
United also started the second period brightly. Goodwillie delayed just a split second too long when released into the penalty box, and Fox was able to put the ball behind for a corner. Then a superb counter attack saw Swanson driving into the box away from Crosas - the winger slipped the ball past Boruc, but also just wide of the far post.
Samaras replaced Nguemo and almost immediately had Celtic ahead, but his header was rightly ruled out for offside. But Celtic were gradually gaining the upper hand and McGinn's cross-come-shot went close. As the game entered the final half hour, Weaver was called on to make a fine diving save from Fox's free-kick. United seemed to have weathered the storm and began to look threatening again on the counter attack with Fox once again making a good blocking challenge when Cadamarteri looked set to score.
With three minutes left Scott Robertson picked up a second yellow card after fouling Maloney and travelling Arabs must have feared that another late Celtic winner was on the cards. When the resulting free-kick was deflected sending Weaver the wrong way it looked like United were going to be robbed, but the ball span wide for a goal kick and United comfortably saw out the four minutes of injury time to secure a well deserved point.
Teams:
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Nguemo (Samaras 58), McDonald, Brown, Fox, Maloney, McGinn (Mizuno 80), Crosas (Caddis 75), Loovens. Unused subs: Zaluska, McManus, McCourt, Carey
United: Weaver, Dillon, Webster, Dods, S Robertson, Cadamarteri, Swanson (Conway 61),Buaben, Gomis (D Robertson 70), Dixon, Goodwillie (Kenneth 88) Unused Subs: Banks, Wilkie, Myrie-Williams, Shala
Attendance: 58,500
Referee: Steve Conroy
Man of the Match: Swanson was superb for sixty minutes before being forced off through injury, and he is narrowly beaten to the man of the match award by Prince Buaben for a mature and composed performance in the middle of the park.
An unchanged United side started positively and went ahead after only six minutes. Gomis broke free from Caldwell down the left and his dangerous low cross was met by David Goodwillie. Although the striker's first shot was blocked, his second attempt rifled into the roof of the net leaving Boruc with no chance. Celtic's five man midfield struggled to make any early impression on a well marshalled United defence, though debutant McGinn was impressive on the right flank. But the home side were handed a controversial equaliser on 18 minutes. Brown's cross from the right struck Dods on the arm at point black range. It was clearly not an intentional handball - yet the linesman flagged for a foul. Fox's left foot set piece was headed into the net from four yards by unmarked Scott McDonald.
The hosts appeared to get a lift from the goal, but Weaver was still rarely called into action. With half time approaching a brilliant last minute block from Swanson was required to stop McDonald grabbing a second. United then almost went back in front after a mistake by Fox allowed Robertson a shot at goal, but Boruc parried and the ball was scrambled clear.
United also started the second period brightly. Goodwillie delayed just a split second too long when released into the penalty box, and Fox was able to put the ball behind for a corner. Then a superb counter attack saw Swanson driving into the box away from Crosas - the winger slipped the ball past Boruc, but also just wide of the far post.
Samaras replaced Nguemo and almost immediately had Celtic ahead, but his header was rightly ruled out for offside. But Celtic were gradually gaining the upper hand and McGinn's cross-come-shot went close. As the game entered the final half hour, Weaver was called on to make a fine diving save from Fox's free-kick. United seemed to have weathered the storm and began to look threatening again on the counter attack with Fox once again making a good blocking challenge when Cadamarteri looked set to score.
With three minutes left Scott Robertson picked up a second yellow card after fouling Maloney and travelling Arabs must have feared that another late Celtic winner was on the cards. When the resulting free-kick was deflected sending Weaver the wrong way it looked like United were going to be robbed, but the ball span wide for a goal kick and United comfortably saw out the four minutes of injury time to secure a well deserved point.
Teams:
Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Nguemo (Samaras 58), McDonald, Brown, Fox, Maloney, McGinn (Mizuno 80), Crosas (Caddis 75), Loovens. Unused subs: Zaluska, McManus, McCourt, Carey
United: Weaver, Dillon, Webster, Dods, S Robertson, Cadamarteri, Swanson (Conway 61),Buaben, Gomis (D Robertson 70), Dixon, Goodwillie (Kenneth 88) Unused Subs: Banks, Wilkie, Myrie-Williams, Shala
Attendance: 58,500
Referee: Steve Conroy
Man of the Match: Swanson was superb for sixty minutes before being forced off through injury, and he is narrowly beaten to the man of the match award by Prince Buaben for a mature and composed performance in the middle of the park.
