2013-01-22: Celtic 4-0 Dundee Utd, SPL

Match Pictures | Matches: 2012 – 2013 | 2012-13 Pictures

Trivia

• Midweek rearranged match
• Still freezing in Scotland from January snow blizzards.
• Transfer rumours galore, mostly nonsense as you'd expect. Rumours increase of interest for struggling Arsenal to make big money bid for Wanyama, and Norwich for Hooper. Hooper rejects last Celtic contract offer, but Lennon states he's not going in January.
• Alex Ferguson (Man U manager) attends match (he will be at Sean Fallon funeral next day). Spurs manager AVB also in attendance (watching Hooper?).
• Samaras becomes a small screen star with an advert for shampoo brand Head & Shoulders for Greek TV!
• League Cup semi-final game next up on Sunday coming, 230 kick off.

Review

(The Pin of KDS Forum)
Thoughts on the game:

Dundee Utd have decent players who can pass the ball but are managed by someone who doesn't encourage them to do so. The first 15 minutes of the game were hard to watch with their constant goal-kicks aimed towards a very congested area of the pitch. Of Course, our team being taller and stronger, they inevitably lost possession most of the time when deploying of this tactic, but continued undeterred. One first-half incident inparticular sticks out; their 'keeper chose to launch the ball up the park, under no pressure, instead of passing it to the feet of one of the defenders who'd come to show for it. From this we won the knock-down, broke on them, and Samaras' shot was blocked, resulting in a corner from which we scored. Peter Houston no doubt believes that route-one football is low-risk, but this passage of play showed the opposite. Dundee Utd were simply giving us possession and inviting attacks.

The sad part is, they actually could play good football if they wanted to. Their manager, however, obviously puts no stock in the idea of relieving pressure on your defence by retaining possession and tiring your opponents by making them close down. Hardly anyone in Scotland does, in fact.

I heard Peter Houston interviewed on the radio on the way into the game. He was asked about MacKay Steven's piece of flamboyant skill against Kilmarnock. He didn't sound to happy about it, and gave some nonsense answer about how ball-juggling isn't important and MacKay Steven's lack of 'end-product'. He's dead wrong, and it's this attitudes like his that are killing the Scottish game. Football is not all about 'end product', it's about entertainment, and that's what Makay Steven did; he entertained people. I couldn't care less about Jon Daly bundling the ball over the line, but as a neutral I'll be more inclined to tune in to the next televised Dundee Utd game because there's the prospect of MacKay Steven doing something spectacular. Though Houston may think football should be a grim trudge towards brutal victory, the long-term interests of Scottish football are far better served by indulging MacKay Steven than by criticising him for being too audacious. Bobby Williamson famously said; 'If you want entertainment, go to the cinema'. Scottish football is now finding out that fans are willing to call his bluff, and suddenly there's a panic about how to attract people back to the game. Peter Houston needs to wake up and realise that boring the opposition to death may get results, but football is essentially show-business, and trickery such as MacKay Steven's is pure box-office.

Which brings me back to tonight's game: Izaguirre drew gasps and applause from the crowd when he nutmegged Willow Flood. He was then viciously booted by the Irishman by way of revenge. Izaguirre had to go off and receive treatment. Nice work, Flood, you've taught him that his career could be ended the next time he's silly enough to add to the spectacle for the enjoyment of the paying customer. Scottish football is poorer, both financially and aesthetically, for this joyless thuggery.

In contrast to the tangerine miserablists, I thought Celtic played well. We gave Dundee Utd far too many chances early in the game, but our attacking play was excellent. Wanyama was switching the play with his left foot, he even did so on one occasion without taking a first-touch beforehand, which was very impressive. Perhaps he was putting on a show for Alex Ferguson, perhaps he's just skillful enough not to have to think about it.

Contrast with Hooper who's so one-footed he could probably claim incapacity benefit. His first-touch and general play is excellent, and he deserves great credit for adding creativity to his game, but he is incredibly reluctant to use his left foot. The moment, in the lead up to Brown's goal, when Hooper decided not to shoot with his left recalled an almost identical situation at Dens Park recently. Hooper would be a far better player if he spent half an hour working on his left foot after training every day. Put that clause in his new contract and he can have as much money as he likes.

I don't know what the genreal opinion of his performance was, but the more I see him, the more I like the look of Lassad. He's technically very good and he's unselfish. He has an appreciation of the value of keeping the ball moving in the final third with simple one-touch passes and lay-offs. He missed a good chance with a header tonight, but he appears to be a good finisher too. It's noticeable, though, that although he's got a similar build to Samaras, he's not nearly as quick.

The 4-3-3 works well, it allows for plenty of movement from our front three. I think Hooper's growing ability to come deep and pass it has allowed us to play this system more effectively; his ability to come short and receive take the ball in tight spaces gives us a link between midfield and attack and creates space up-front for the other attackers to use. He's now important as a creator as well as a finisher.

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Stats

Celtic Dundee United

Possession
55% 45%
90mins

Shots
22 6

On target
10 1

Corners
11 3

Fouls
15 8

Articles

Hooper brace bumps Celtic's bounty

Irish Times

Celtic 4 Dundee United 0: Two goals from Gary Hooper helped Celtic to a convincing home win over Dundee United and undoubtedly stiffened manager Neil Lennon’s resolve to get the best price possible for the striker if he is to leave Parkhead this month.

Before kick-off Lennon confirmed that his striker had turned down a contract offer while also revealing that the club had turned down another offer from Norwich after rejecting a bid, reported to be about £5 million, for the 24-year-old last week.

Hooper, who has 18 months left on his current deal, showed why he is attracting increasing interest when he converted a Georgios Samaras pass in the 19th minute before midfielder Victor Wanyama headed in number two before the break.

Former Scunthorpe striker Hooper struck again 10 minutes from time to take his tally to 22 before he set up substitute Scott Brown for the fourth as United, whose boss Peter Houston will leave at the end of the season, were left thankful that their defeat had not been more demoralising.

Lennon tinkered with his side following their 4-1 home win over Hearts at the weekend, in which Hooper had also grabbed a double.

Defender Thomas Rogne, midfielder Beram Kayal and striker Lassad Nouioui came in for Adam Matthews, Brown and Kris Commons, the latter out of the squad altogether with a rib injury.

United were unchanged from their fine 3-2 win against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Saturday with Jon Daly leading the line supported by Johnny Russell, who grabbed a hat-trick against the Ayrshire side.

Celtic were captained by Samaras and in the third minute he headed a Charlie Mulgrew free-kick past the post from eight yards. However, a minute later United Gary Mackay-Steven missed a great chance to open the scoring after a one-two with Russell left him through against Lukasz Zaluska.

With the Hoops defence missing, the United winger had time and space but his shot slipped past the far post.

In an unusually open start to the game, Hooper hooked the ball wide of the target before former Celtic midfielder Willo Flood fired off target from the edge of the box.

As the home side took another turn to attack, Hooper headed a Samaras cross over the bar from six yards and the match continued to swing from end to end with both defences looking porous.

It was Celtic who were first to benefit when Lassad raced away on a counter-attack with the United rearguard chasing, and when he moved the ball wide to Samaras his first-time pass to the unmarked Hooper saw him confidently beating United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak.

In the 32nd minute Celtic should have doubled their lead when Hooper sent Lassad clear but a great tackle by defender Gavin Gunning thwarted the striker at the expense of a corner. However the loss of the second goal was only delayed.

Mulgrew’s corner was cleared out to Mikael Lustig and when he swung a cross to the back post the unmarked Wanyama powered a header back across goal and into the net.

Three minutes from the break Wanyama headed a Mulgrew corner off the post before United managed to keep the ball out for the concession of another corner, which was taken short by Mulgrew to Samaras who drove just wide of the far post.

Celtic started the second half with Lassad heading Joe Ledley’s cross over from six yards and there was little to suggest United could stage a comeback.

Daly’s powerful downward header from a Barry Douglas corner on the hour mark was blocked in a packed penalty area and followed by a weak Russell header which was comfortable saved by Zaluska.

Celtic remained in control and dangerous on the break.

In the 69th minute Samaras got on the end of Emilio Izaguirre’s cross from the left but Cierzniak saved before the visitors survived another spell of activity around their box.

Samaras then escaped the United defence down the left but his cross was well cleared by Douglas a yard from goal for yet another corner, which came to nothing.

However, 10 minutes from time Celtic broke with pace again and Samaras set up Hooper to score with a neat flick at the near post.

Anthony Stokes replaced Lassad to make his first appearance since last August after recovering from an ankle injury, but it was Brown, on for Kayal, who curled in goal number four after taking a Hooper pass, to leave the champions 12 points clear of Inverness at the top of the table.

However, the focus over the next few days at least, will remain on Hooper.

BBC
Gary Hooper was the hero again as Celtic moved 12 points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League with a comfortable victory over Dundee United.

Hooper put his side in front, finishing a superb counter-attack in a hectic opening period.

Victor Wanyama made it two with a close-range header and Hooper killed United off with a deft flick past Radoslaw Cierzniak.

Substitute Scott Brown rounded off the scoring with a left-foot curler.
Play media

Other than an utterly breathless opening 10 minutes in which both sides created a number of clear-cut chances, United rarely threatened to take anything from the game.

Celtic barely moved out of cruise control despite notching four goals for the second time in four days, with Hooper grabbing a double again and showing just why Neil Lennon is so keen to keep hold of him.

Prior to him getting off the mark though, Georgios Samaras should have hit the target with a header before United's Gary Mackay-Steven slipped a shot past Lukasz Zaluska but also past his right-hand post.

Hooper put a couple of efforts off-target, with Willo Flood flashing a shot wide at the other end and Zaluska got lucky when his attempted clearance cannoned off Jon Daly's back before bouncing precariously close to goal.

So when the deadlock was broken after 18 minutes, the only surprise was that it had taken that long.
Victor Wanyama

Victor Wanyama heads the second goal past Dundee United keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak

When it came, it was a thing of beauty. A United corner kick was knocked out of the Celtic box allowing Lassad Nouioui to break at pace over the halfway line.

With only two defenders back, his superb ball into the path of Samaras was matched by the Greek's first-time pass to the unmarked Hooper, who slotted under the diving Cierzniak.

The game hit something of a lull after the goal, but Celtic Park came to life again in the 34th minute.

Gavin Gunning did well to block Lassad's shot away for a corner, but when it was laid back to Mikael Lustig, the Swede swung the ball to the back post where Wanyama headed across Cierzniak and into the far corner of the net.

Wanyama almost had a second just before half-time when he headed a Mulgrew corner off the frame of the goal, with United only just scrambling the rebound away as Celtic exerted their authority on the match.
Play media

United clearly needed the next goal if they were to make a game of it, and they almost had it on the hour-mark.

Barry Douglas swung a corner outwards from the left and Daly met it powerfully, only to see his headed effort swept off the line.

Cierzniak saved from Samaras as the game began to become stretched but United looked incapable of stepping up their efforts and they were killed off altogether when Hooper scored his second – a lovely near-post flick from Samaras's low cross.

Celtic carved out a fourth through their captain, who picked the ball up from Hooper, turned the ball onto his left foot and curled a shot high past Cierzniak.

The scoreline was not a flattering one as Celtic again highlighted the disparity between themselves and the competition.

Live Text Commentary
90:00 +2:01 Full time

Full Time The final whistle is blown by the referee.
90:00 +0:47

Effort from inside the area by Anthony Stokes misses to the left of the target.
90:00 +0:01

The referee blows for offside against Jon Daly. Indirect free kick taken by Lukasz Zaluska.
89:08

Gary Hooper challenges Sean Dillon unfairly and gives away a free kick. Gavin Gunning takes the free kick.
88:39

Unfair challenge on Sean Dillon by Georgios Samaras results in a free kick. Radoslaw Cierzniak takes the direct free kick.
87:26

Rudi Skacel has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
85:28

Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Jon Daly makes a clearance.
83:52

Gary Hooper provided the assist for the goal.
83:52 Goal scored

Goal – Scott Brown – Celtic 4 – 0 Dundee U Goal scored by Scott Brown from deep inside the penalty box to the top left corner of the goal. Celtic 4-0 Dundee Utd.
81:26 Substitution

Substitution Lassad Nouioui leaves the field to be replaced by Anthony Stokes.
79:43

Assist on the goal came from Georgios Samaras.
79:43 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 3 – 0 Dundee U Gary Hooper scores a goal from close in to the bottom right corner of the goal. Celtic 3-0 Dundee Utd.
78:50

Corner taken by Willo Flood, Charlie Mulgrew makes a clearance.
78:11

Stuart Armstrong takes a shot.
77:43

The ball is sent over by Barry Douglas, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
77:06

The ball is swung over by Gary Hooper.
76:00

The ball is crossed by Georgios Samaras, Barry Douglas makes a clearance. Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Mulgrew, Johnny Russell manages to make a clearance.
74:31

Barry Douglas challenges Georgios Samaras unfairly and gives away a free kick. Adam Matthews takes the free kick.
73:31

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Brown on Rudi Skacel. Free kick taken by Willo Flood.
73:31

Free kick awarded for a foul by Scott Brown on Rudi Skacel. Direct free kick taken by Willo Flood.
72:53 Substitution

Substitution (Celtic) makes a substitution, with Adam Matthews coming on for Mikael Lustig.
71:58

Outswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Charlie Mulgrew.
70:34 Substitution

Substitution Rudi Skacel on for Gary Mackay-Steven.
70:19

Mikael Lustig produces a cross.
69:25

Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Keith Watson gets a block in. Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew.
68:35

Emilio Izaguirre delivers the ball, Georgios Samaras has an effort at goal. Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a comfortable save.
65:39

Gary Hooper takes a shot. Barry Douglas gets a block in.
64:13

Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Mikael Lustig, Gavin Gunning manages to make a clearance.
63:35

Inswinging corner taken by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
63:09

Emilio Izaguirre sends in a cross, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
62:46

Thomas Rogne challenges Johnny Russell unfairly and gives away a free kick. Willo Flood takes the free kick.
61:57

Free kick awarded for a foul by Victor Wanyama on Gary Mackay-Steven. Free kick taken by Barry Douglas.
60:18 Substitution

Substitution Scott Brown joins the action as a substitute, replacing Beram Kayal.
59:59

Jon Daly takes a shot. Thomas Rogne makes a clearance.
59:40

Barry Douglas takes a outswinging corner to the near post.
59:28

Mikael Lustig challenges Gary Mackay-Steven unfairly and gives away a free kick. Barry Douglas restarts play with the free kick.
58:50

Centre by Emilio Izaguirre, comfortable save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
57:05

Keith Watson fouled by Joe Ledley, the ref awards a free kick. Barry Douglas takes the free kick.
54:36

Free kick taken by Charlie Mulgrew.
54:36 Booking

Booking Willo Flood receives a caution.
54:29

Emilio Izaguirre fouled by Willo Flood, the ref awards a free kick.
52:38

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Joe Ledley by Sean Dillon. Mikael Lustig takes the direct free kick.
52:12

Gary Mackay-Steven concedes a free kick for a foul on Mikael Lustig. Direct free kick taken by Mikael Lustig.
50:20

Barry Douglas restarts play with the free kick.
50:20 Substitution

Substitution Mark Millar leaves the field to be replaced by Stuart Armstrong.
50:20

Unfair challenge on Gary Mackay-Steven by Mikael Lustig results in a free kick.
48:33

Lassad Nouioui has a headed effort at goal from close in which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
46:09

A cross is delivered by Georgios Samaras, clearance by Barry Douglas.
45:01

The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
45:00 +1:08 Half time

Half Time The match has reached half-time.
45:00 +0:16

Barry Douglas fouled by Beram Kayal, the ref awards a free kick. Barry Douglas restarts play with the free kick.
43:46

Effort from inside the area by Georgios Samaras misses to the left of the goal.
42:36

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew, Victor Wanyama takes a shot. Lassad Nouioui takes a shot. Keith Watson gets a block in. Corner taken short by Charlie Mulgrew.
39:48

Beram Kayal takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the crossbar.
39:24

Thomas Rogne fouled by Johnny Russell, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Thomas Rogne.
38:33

Beram Kayal produces a right-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.
37:27

Effort on goal by Barry Douglas from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the goal.
36:22

Foul by Victor Wanyama on Gary Mackay-Steven, free kick awarded. Gavin Gunning takes the direct free kick.
35:22

Shot by Victor Wanyama from outside the box goes over the target.
34:27

Johnny Russell crosses the ball, clearance by Charlie Mulgrew.
32:44

The assist for the goal came from Mikael Lustig.
32:44 Goal scored

Goal – Victor Wanyama – Celtic 2 – 0 Dundee U Victor Wanyama grabs a headed goal from close range. Celtic 2-0 Dundee Utd.
31:58

Corner taken short by Charlie Mulgrew.
31:25

Lassad Nouioui concedes a free kick for a foul on John Rankin. Gavin Gunning takes the direct free kick.
31:00

Lassad Nouioui is ruled offside. Sean Dillon restarts play with the free kick.
31:00

The referee blows for offside against Lassad Nouioui. Radoslaw Cierzniak takes the free kick.
29:41

Mikael Lustig takes the free kick.
29:35

Free kick awarded for a foul by Mark Millar on Joe Ledley.
29:41

Mikael Lustig restarts play with the free kick.
29:41 Booking

Booking Booking for Mark Millar.
29:35

Joe Ledley fouled by Mark Millar, the ref awards a free kick.
28:40

Centre by Emilio Izaguirre, Gavin Gunning makes a clearance.
27:57

Unfair challenge on Johnny Russell by Charlie Mulgrew results in a free kick. Sean Dillon takes the direct free kick.
27:50

Emilio Izaguirre produces a cross, Gavin Gunning makes a clearance.
25:29

Free kick awarded for a foul by Georgios Samaras on Barry Douglas. Radoslaw Cierzniak takes the free kick.
25:07

Emilio Izaguirre delivers the ball, Mark Millar makes a clearance.
23:04

Centre by Barry Douglas, clearance made by Emilio Izaguirre.
22:19

Victor Wanyama takes a shot from 20 yards. Save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
21:43

Foul by Gary Hooper on Mark Millar, free kick awarded. Sean Dillon takes the direct free kick.
20:00

Unfair challenge on Gary Hooper by Mark Millar results in a free kick. Thomas Rogne takes the free kick.
18:26

Assist by Georgios Samaras.
18:26 Goal scored

Goal – Gary Hooper – Celtic 1 – 0 Dundee U Gary Hooper gets on the score sheet with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Celtic 1-0 Dundee Utd.
17:49

Corner taken by Barry Douglas from the left by-line, Charlie Mulgrew makes a clearance.
13:28

Emilio Izaguirre produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the bar.
12:48

Charlie Mulgrew takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, clearance by John Rankin.
12:17

The ball is delivered by Barry Douglas, Thomas Rogne manages to make a clearance.
11:09

Georgios Samaras handles the ball and concedes a free kick. Radoslaw Cierzniak takes the direct free kick.
10:34

Corner taken left-footed by Charlie Mulgrew from the right by-line, save by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
10:24

Georgios Samaras takes a shot. Blocked by Barry Douglas.
10:05

Beram Kayal produces a cross, Radoslaw Cierzniak makes a comfortable save.
9:05

Gary Hooper has a headed effort from close range and clears the bar.
8:56

The ball is delivered by Emilio Izaguirre, clearance made by Keith Watson.
8:09

The assistant referee signals for offside against Georgios Samaras. Free kick taken by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
6:08

Mark Millar fouled by Georgios Samaras, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Gavin Gunning.
5:40

Willo Flood has an effort at goal from just outside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand post.
5:40

Willo Flood produces a right-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide left of the goal.
4:46

Close range effort by Gary Hooper misses to the left of the target.
3:32

Gary Mackay-Steven produces a right-footed shot from deep inside the penalty box which goes wide of the left-hand upright.
1:49

Emilio Izaguirre fouled by Jon Daly, the ref awards a free kick. The ball is sent over by Charlie Mulgrew, Header by Georgios Samaras from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.
0:54

Victor Wanyama has an effort at goal from just outside the box which goes wide of the right-hand upright.
0:00

The game gets underway.

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