MATCH REPORT | QUICK-FIRE GOALS SEAL THE POINTS FOR CELTIC

DUNDEE UNITED 0-2 CELTIC

4PM SUNDAY 29TH JANUARY 2023

CINCH PREMIERSHIP

TANNADICE PARK

Jota and Aaron Mooy's second-half strikes ensured Celtic left Tannadice with all three points.

THE TEAM TALK 

United lined up as we did when the blue side of Glasgow visited Tannadice earlier this month. That meant there were four changes to the team that beat University of Stirling in the Scottish Cup, with Scott McMann, Ryan Edwards, Glenn Middleton and Ian Harkes all back in from the start. 

Charlie Mulgrew, Ross Graham, Jamie McGrath and Rory MacLeod featured on the bench.

Michael Døssing was on hand to present Club Captain Ryan Edwards with a commemorative shirt after making his 100th appearance for United!

KYOGO CLOSE

The visitors almost had the lead inside one minute. Smart play from Jota sent Kyogo through on goal but a poor finish let United off as he lifted his effort over the bar. 

A PRESSING SPELL

The game plan looked clear from Fox’s side as United looked to make the most of their counter-attacks. 

The tangerines broke forward on the 13-minute mark through Middleton, and his clever hold-up allowed others into play. An excellent cross-field ball found Aziz Behich but the Australian's cross was too high to find a United man - drifting out for a goal kick. 

United’s earliest sighting at goal came two minutes later. An aerial pinball in the box was eventually headed on by Liam Smith towards Steven Fletcher - whose looping header fell just over the crossbar. 

CELTIC CHANCES

For all their domination of the ball, Mark Birighitti was only called into action twice in the first half. He got down well to keep out Jota’s half-volley from the edge of the area and when Alistair Johnston slipped through Kyogo our number one made himself big to block smartly.

Chances also fell for Jota and Reo Hatate but their efforts flew wide of either post. 

PUNCHING CLEAR

The key talking point of the opening 45 fell on the stroke of half-time, with Don Robertson pointing to the spot for a Celtic penalty. 

It was clever build-up from Celtic, who seconds earlier had a ball rebound off the post before Craig Sibbald’s block denied a certain opener for the visitors. 

The aftermath was a high ball inside the area and a bit of a scramble as Kyogo, Smith and Birighitti came together. The Australian rose highest, punching the ball clear before the referee pointed to the sport after an adjudged foul.

However, after a quick VAR check, the decision was overturned - Birighitti clearly punching the ball before making any unintentional contact. 

A QUICK-FIRE DOUBLE

Celtic again had a chance within seconds of the second-half whistle, this time Jota was the one almost breaking the deadlock as he cut inside from the left. 

On 51 minutes, Abada slipped in Mooy who delivered an inch-perfect cross to the back post, with the curl on the ball wrong footing Birighitti as it looked to be heading out. It was met by Jota at the back post who headed home from a narrow-angle to give the visitors the lead. 

One became two for Celtic within five minutes, VAR ruling in favour of Celtic this time with a penalty being awarded following a handball by Kieran Freeman. It was Mooy who stepped up from 12 yards and sent Birighitti the wrong way. 

PETERING OUT 

Following the second goal, chances were few and far between for both sides in the second period. 

POST-MATCH THOUGHTS

Speaking after the game, Craig Sibbald said:

"We're disappointed. It was a game in which we played well in spells and were comfortable going in at half-time."

"The first was a frustrating goal to lose. I think we done well to keep pushing and not give in. 

"Wednesday is a massive game for us and we're still on a good run so will need to stay confident heading in to the match."

Liam Fox also gave his thoughts to DUTV after the match.

Liam Fox gives his reaction to this afternoon's 2-0 defeat against Celtic.#UTDCEL | #DUFC pic.twitter.com/vqL8CxtQfg

— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) January 29, 2023

TEAMLINE

Starting XI: Birighitti, Smith, McMann, Fletcher (MacLeod 74'), Edwards (c), Sibbald, Middleton (Pawlett 74'), Behich, Levitt (Djoum 74'), Freeman, Harkes (60’ McGrath)

Subs: Newman, Mulgrew, Graham, Niskanen, Cudjoe

NEXT UP 

The fixtures are still coming thick and fast with a mid-week tie against Kilmarnock up next. 

CLICK HERE for tickets!