2013-11-02: Celtic 1-1 Dundee Utd, SP

Match Pictures | Matches: 2013 – 2014 | 2013-14 Pictures

Trivia

  • Samaras out due to stitches on knee from last game.
  • Izaguirre back too, despite concussion from last match, recovered well and he's getting back his better form.
  • Tony Stokes signs a three year contract extension with Celtic. Samaras & Ledley talks continue, but feelings are that Ledley is gone.
  • Celtic Graves Society Founding Fathers Event done today at 11.30 with unveiling of commemorative cross.
  • The new Celtic Ticket Office is opened. The new office is located at the rear of the Celtic Superstore.
  • Old school at front soon demolished.
  • Ajax away in Champions League next week, possibly most important game for Celtic and Ajax in the group.
  • Celtic Park announced to host 2013/2014 Scottish Cup final, due to the Commonwealth games. Ibrox hosting the semi-finals.
  • Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawwell as the club are presented with a specially commissioned to commemorate our victory in last season's Scottish Cup competition by William Hill Head of Sponsorship David Lynn.
  • Former Rangers player Fernando Ricksen diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease. Admittedly not the most popular opposition player ever, but no one deserves this illness and all thoughts & prayers from everyone with him and his family.

Review[Untitled]

(Tim Waits of KDS forum)
Better result than we probably deserved on that performance, could easily have lost it 0-2. Then again, Stokes could have put away one of his chances and we might be sitting on a 2-1 win. Either way it was pretty dismal viewing on the day. The guy ranting and cursing on his cellphone on 33d street at halftime was more exciting than the whole first half.

Still unbeaten.

Can't fault the effort put in by Stokes, thought he had a decent game. Also thought Fisher was doing all right and was a bit surprised to see him hooked. Brown had a poor game, and as noted about 100 times already Ledley, Brown and Mulgrew don't make for a creative midfield, especially when Forrest doesn't get involved as he didn't today (or at least not enough).

Teams

Celtic

  • 01 Forster
  • 41 Fisher (Lustig – 46' )
  • 03 Izaguirre
  • 21 Mulgrew
  • 04 Ambrose
  • 05 van Dijk
  • 08 Brown
  • 16 Ledley (Boerrigter – 71' )
  • 17 Baldé (Pukki – 60' )
  • 49 Forrest
  • 10 Stokes

Substitutes

  • 06 Biton
  • 11 Boerrigter
  • 18 Rogic
  • 20 Pukki
  • 23 Lustig
  • 24 Zaluska
  • 33 Kayal

Goals

  • Mulgrew 90′

Dundee United

  • 01 Cierzniak
  • 16 Wilson
  • 26 Robertson
  • 27 Gomis Booked (Paton – 63' )
  • 20 Souttar
  • 05 Gunning
  • 11 Mackay-Steven (Dow – 86' )
  • 08 Rankin
  • 09 Graham (Goodwillie – 79' )
  • 21 Ciftci
  • 10 Armstrong Booked

Substitutes

  • 02 Dillon
  • 04 Butcher
  • 06 Paton
  • 07 Goodwillie
  • 18 Dow
  • 19 Gauld
  • 25 McCallum

Goals

  • Armstrong 38′

Ref: Alan Muir
Att: 47,386

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)
  • Audio Report: Paradise Report

Pictures

Forum

MOTM

Stats

Celtic Dundee United
Possession
39% 61%
90mins

Shots
18 4

On target
5 3

Corners
10 2

Fouls
7 5

Articles

Charlie Mulgrew rescues a point for Celtic and thwarts Dundee United

Guardian report
Celtic 1 Dundee Utd 1

Scottish Premier League
Celtic

Charlie Mulgrew 90 +0:27

Dundee Utd

Stuart Armstrong 38

Ewan Murray at Celtic Park
The Observer, Saturday 2 November 2013 17.57 GMT

Dundee United's Stuart Armstrong,left, celebrates scoring against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership
Dundee United's Stuart Armstrong, left, celebrates scoring against Celtic in the Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park. Photograph: Jeff Holmes/PA

Celtic limped and laboured through this match. They maintained an unbeaten league record, though, as Charlie Mulgrew's stoppage time header denied Dundee United a first win at this venue in 21 years. An impressive United could reasonably claim to have been hard done by.

The attentions of Celtic and Neil Lennon now revert to a pivotal Champions League meeting with Ajax in midweek. It would be a surprise if Celtic are as tepid in the Netherlands as they were here. If such failings do re-occur, Ajax will prevail.

Anthony Stokes, playing in his first match since signing a three-year contract extension, was Celtic's most lively scoring threat during this draw. Stokes had passed up two decent chances by the time United threatened through Brian Graham, who watched a close-range header batted away by Fraser Forster.

Generally, though, Celtic's impetus was blunted by the absence of Georgios Samaras and Kris Commons. Both are expected to return for Wednesday's match in Amsterdam but encounters such as this one demonstrate that Lennon hardly has the luxury of resting key players before big games.

There is much work to be done, for example, if Stokes and Amido Baldé are to emerge as a potent strike partnership even at domestic level. Baldé lasted 61 minutes against United, only succeeding in looking about as dangerous as a water pistol during that time. There was no risk taken against United with Beram Kayal, who is likely to replace the suspended captain Scott Brown against Ajax. Instead, the Israeli midfielder was left amongst the Celtic substitutes. Brown's stupidity in kicking Barcelona Neymar, and the three-game suspension that arrived as a consequence, may yet undermine Lennon's dreams of taking Celtic to the Champions League's last 16 once again.

Joe Ledley faced United and whilst recent injury problems offer a part explanation, is failing to perform anywhere close to his best. Ledley, like Baldé, was replaced in the second half.

Such matters of Celtic selection were of no consequence to United as they earned a 38th-minute lead.

Nadir Ciftci created headlines after his involvement in a rumpus during a League Cup defeat in Inverness on Tuesday night. The forward could, it is reported, be subject to a 16-match ban if all manner of charges against him are proven. In any case, Ciftci displayed the admirable side of his football personality by playing a wonderful pass into the feet of Stuart Armstrong. The United midfielder showed fine composure, and justified his standing as one of Scottish football's brightest prospects, to beat the onrushing Forster.

That visitors' goal roused Celtic. They could have been level by the interval but Graham blocked a fierce James Forrest drive on his goal-line and Stokes was wasteful with two separate chances.

Graham should have afforded United breathing space, 20 minutes after the break. Instead, the former Raith Rovers forward was guilty of a quite extraordinary miss. Graham wears a brand of football boots endorsed by Pele; the Brazilian great would have worried about product reputation damage had he seen the United player head the ball against himself, rather than into the net, from six yards. Ciftci was again the creator.

If Radoslaw Cierzniak in the United goal feared a late onslaught, he need not have. Stokes had a near-post flick saved before Mulgrew tamely headed home. Given how strong the United backline had been until that point, they will feel aggrieved at losing two points in such a cheap manner.

BBC

By Jim Spence BBC Sport at Celtic Park

Charlie Mulgrew's injury-time equaliser denied Dundee United their first away win against Celtic in over 20 years.

United's Stuart Armstrong lifted the ball over Fraser Forster late in the first half after latching onto Nadir Ciftci's wonderful pass.

Anthony Stokes and Amido Balde squandered several chances for Celtic.

Brian Graham should have doubled United's lead before Mulgrew headed home at the death to keep the hosts' unbeaten league run this season intact.

It was April when Neil Lennon's side last lost in Scotland's top flight and they came within 60 seconds of tasting league defeat again, but Mulgrew's third goal of the season preserved their record.
Play media

The last time Celtic were unbeaten in the league after their opening 11 games was 2003.

Despite their profligacy up until Mulgrew's leveller, the Scottish Premiership leaders can take heart from digging deep late on as they prepare for their Champions League clash with Ajax in Amsterdam on Wednesday night.

Dundee United will rue the chance that fell to Graham from Ciftci's cross just after the hour-mark, when the former Raith Rovers striker miscued a header from three yards.

Jackie McNamara's men drop to sixth in the Premiership in light of St Johnstone's away win at Tynecastle against Hearts.

Stokes signed a three-year extension to his contract during the week, but could not celebrate that with a goal at Celtic Park, volleying over the crossbar from the edge of the box and then directing a Mulgrew free-kick over with his head.
Play media

Portuguese striker Balde also spurned first half opportunities, while Hoops keeper Fraser Forster was called upon to thwart Gary Mackay-Steven and Graham.

United did make the breakthrough, though, and it was an excellently crafted counter-attack.

Armstrong timed his run perfectly to latch on to a delightfully lofted Ciftci pass and the Scotland Under 21 international rounded Forster before lifting it into the net – the second time in consecutive visits that Armstrong has scored at Celtic Park.

United goalkeeper Radoslaw Cierzniak did well to block James Forrest's drive and Stokes was unsuccessful with further efforts before the break.

The home crowd's frustration grew as they grateful watched Graham waste his fantastic opportunity, before Stokes tested Cierzniak again at his near post.

But, as is always the case at Celtic Park, anything can happen right up until the final whistle and the late twist came when Mulgrew got his head on Izaguirre's delivery.

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 1, Dundee United 1.
90:00 +1:38 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 1, Dundee United 1.
90:00 +0:27 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Dundee United 1. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Emilio Izaguirre.
88:00

John Rankin (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87:59

Foul by Mikael Lustig (Celtic).
86:48

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
86:48

Foul by John Rankin (Dundee United).
85:23 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Ryan Dow replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.
85:00

Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84:57

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
82:19 Booking

Booking Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
82:10

Mikael Lustig (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82:10

Foul by Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United).
80:23

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
80:07

Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
78:08 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. David Goodwillie replaces Brian Graham.
77:00

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
77:00

Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
73:48

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
70:32 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Derk Boerrigter replaces Joe Ledley.
67:17

Attempt saved. Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
66:20

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
65:24

Attempt missed. Teemu Pukki (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
64:16

Attempt saved. Brian Graham (Dundee United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
63:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Paul Paton replaces Morgaro Gomis.
59:37 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Teemu Pukki replaces Amido Baldé.
58:00

Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
57:58

Foul by Joe Ledley (Celtic).
55:15

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.
53:11

Attempt missed. Amido Baldé (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
52:41

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Nadir Ciftci.
49:53

Attempt blocked. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
49:14

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
49:14

Foul by Morgaro Gomis (Dundee United).
48:31

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left following a corner.
47:59

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.
46:29

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
45:15 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Mikael Lustig replaces Darnell Fisher.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 0, Dundee United 1.
45:00 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 0, Dundee United 1.
44:02

Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
42:36

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
40:29

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gavin Gunning.
40:09

Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
39:20

Joe Ledley (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
39:20

Foul by Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United).
37:26 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 0, Dundee United 1. Stuart Armstrong (Dundee United) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Nadir Ciftci.
36:23

Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top left corner following a corner.
35:34

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
35:34

Gary Mackay-Steven (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
34:51

Attempt blocked. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
34:07

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gavin Gunning.
32:28

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
32:28

Gavin Gunning (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
29:58

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
29:07

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
22:16

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
16:48

Attempt saved. Charlie Mulgrew (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
15:45

Attempt missed. Amido Baldé (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is too high.
12:26

Attempt saved. Brian Graham (Dundee United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
10:53

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.
10:41

Attempt blocked. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
6:53

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
6:53

Gavin Gunning (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
6:08

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Gary Mackay-Steven.
5:16 Booking

Booking Morgaro Gomis (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
4:18

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high from a direct free kick.
3:33

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
3:33

Foul by Morgaro Gomis (Dundee United).
2:37

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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