Dundee United 0 Celtic 2

It wasn’t to be for United as goals in each half from Kris Commons and James Forrest proved their undoing. The task was made all the more difficult for the Tannadice side following captain Sean Dillon’s dismissal in 55 minutes after a late lunge on Emilio Izaguirre. By Ally Stewart There was a scare in just the 3rd minute for the Tangerines when a Stokes corner was headed towards goal by Van Dijk but Dillon made a timely intervention to head off the line and prevent a certain opener. Celtic again had a chance in the 8th minute when a slack pass back from Morris let in Griffiths who thankfully could only put the ball into the side netting after moving beyond Cierzniak. Dow won a free kick in a dangerous area for United’s first proper chance but Dixon’s effort struck the wall before Paul Paton had his attempt from the rebound cleared.  Celtic were enjoying most of the possession but there was another United chance in the 17th minute as a McGowan throw into the box was headed on by Bilate but the ball just failed to drop in time for Rankin before Craig Gordon smothered. It was when the Terrors were down to 10 men after Dillon had limped off to receive treatment that the opening goal was then then conceded. Stokes crossed the ball to Kris Commons whose first shot deflected off Fojut before Cierzniak turned onto the post, however Commons was in the right place to tuck away the rebound from inside the 6 yard box. Griffiths then got clear of the United defence and his shot was diverted for a corner as the Tangerines looked to regain composure. There were loud appeals for a United penalty when Dow was barged from behind by Brown deep in the box. Bobby Madden hesitated but then waved play on much to the disgust of the United camp. There were chances for Celtic’s Commons and then for Dow at the other end but United remained a goal down at half time. Bilate saw an early chance after the break missed as his shot was deflected into the arms of Gordon following a long ball forward from Dixon. There was another serious blow for United in the 55th minute when Dillon received a straight red card for a late lunge on Emilio Izaguirre. The Tangerines were under a good bit of pressure being a man light but were dealing with the constant delivery into the box very well. In the 67th minute when a Stokes cross did find a man inside Stefan Johansen slipped a downward shot narrowly wide of the upright. Johansen then missed with a close range header and Stokes sliced wide as the Terrors looked to cling onto some hope as the clock ran down. There was a brief flurry of United pressure with just less than a quarter of an hour remaining and again the long throw from McGowan caused concern in the Celtic box but the bounce of the ball just wouldn’t fall United’s way. The second goal that they feared would leave too big a task came in the 79th minute when despite a brilliant initial tackle From Morris the ball broke back to substitute James Forrest who struck into the net from the edge of the box. Chris Erskine, on for Paton, then sliced an effort wide from the outside the box as he looked to spark some late hope. It looked all but over when with 5 minutes to go Celtic were awarded a penalty as Forrest went down under a Dixon challenge remarkably reminiscent of the one on Dow before the break. As he has done throughout this competition however Cierzniak was equal to the task as he read Forrest’s kick well and saved with his legs. Full Time Summary – It wasn’t to be for United despite putting so much into the match. They handled the Celtic pressure for the most part very well but in the end playing with 10 men for most of the second half was just too much to overcome for the Tangerines. Man of the Match – Although the performance of Dow in the first half was excellent, the Terrors had to withstand a lot of pressure at the back with all performing admirably. On this occasion Radoslaw Cierzniak couldn’t have done more and justice was done late on when he saved Forrest’s penalty. United – Cierzniak, Dixon, Fojut, Morris, Dillon, Rankin, Paton (Erskine 72), Butcher, McGowan, Dow, Bilate (Anier 59). Subs not used – Szromnik, Souttar, Telfer, Connolly, Spittal. Celtic – Gordon, Izaguirre, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Bitton (Henderson 82), Brown, Stokes, Commons (Forrest 69), Denayer, Johansen, Griffiths (Guidetti 69). Subs not used – Zaluska, Scepovic, Fisher, McGregor.