2015-03-08: Dundee Utd 1-1 Celtic, Scottish Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 2014 – 2015 | 2014-15 Pictures

Trivia

• Scottish Cup Quarter-finals
• Celtic to play Dundee Utd next Sunday in the League Cup final
• Ronny Deila's first Cup final with Celtic.
• Match drawn so to be replayed.
• Three sent off. Wrong man sent off for DUtd in first incident. Many state that three Dundee Utd players should have been off for the melee, and some say Brown also lucky to stay on. VVD sent off for Celtic.
• Celtic miss a penalty (Griffiths), or in fairness the goalkeeper saved it (he had a good day).
• GMS and Armstrong are not eligible to play in this game (cup-tied).
• Guidetti states in an interview of a keenness to go back to Holland to play. Deila claims this is not true, and misinterpreted. Not too many Celts concerned at this, he's been not too great over last two months and is a far cry from the highly impressive player he was earlier on.
• Celtic reveal new shirt deal with American company New Balance. Old deal with Nike ending as they pull out of many football shirt deals across the globe.
• Ex-Celt Derek Riordan signs for East Fife.
• Ex-Celt Stan Petrov to return to assist coaching at Aston Villa, having recovered from Leukaemia. Much respect to him.
• Peter Lawwell ends up in a hoo haa after the new kit deal launch. Makes remarks over Celtic and Irish republicanism, which parties on both sides stretch out for their own viewpoints for a Head to head clash. (see article at end of page).
• Sevco have new man in control, tax cheat Dave King.

Review

(oldgreenose of KDS)
The pitch was atrocious.

The match officials were appalling.

Why was Virgil sent off? Did nothing wrong.

Why was Paton sent off? Mistaken identity?

Their's was NEVER a penalty. Diving wee carrot.

Ref failing to play advantage again when it looks like Celtic have a genuine goalscoring opportunity (same as in LC SF).

Izzy was to blame for the penalty – should have let the ball run out of play (or booted it out).

Broony might get a retrospective red card? For what – maliciously allowing hinself to be kicked in the head? FFS.

Denayer was excellent.

Efe had another good game.

Thought Ronny might bring Fisher on at half-time, put Bitton back in DMC, & move Efe to CB – would have restored balance to the team shape.

Stokes. WTF…

Guidetti was patchy when he came on, but i think we needed a big striker to get in about their weakened defence. And he was the only one on the bench to fit the bill. Unfortunately.

Until we scored, that match had all the hallmarks of 'one of those games' – you know, where we do everything but score.

We will win the replay.

(mubo lu.. of kds)
Cracking game, but for all the wrong reasons.

Ref had a shocker, only Dixon deserved his red and the boy Connolly blatantly dived. Still I'm sure Lukasz had a wry smile when Paton was sent off for mistaken identity…

Van Dijk's punishment should be rescinded, if not then Butcher should receive a retrospective ban as well. Either punish them both or neither of them. Ciftci's conduct should also be looked at, but at least he's suspended for the cup final anyway.

Still awful officiating doesn't excuse Griffiths placing his pen at a very comfortable height for Cierzniak, still he redeemed himself with the equaliser. Izzy's brain fart before Connolly's dive was laughably bad, while Guidetti's finishing was woeful as we came close to a winner. Oh and the condition of the pitch was terrible.

Just glad we're still it and the hunt for the treble marches on

Teams

Articles

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

Pictures

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MOTM

• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Dundee United Celtic

Possession
56% 44%
90mins

Shots
5 12

On target
4 5

Corners
1 9

Fouls
11 17

Articles

BBC
By Keir Murray BBC Scotland

Celtic's Van Dijk, United's Paton and Dixon sent off
Ciftci scores penalty for United
United's Cierzniak saves Griffiths' penalty
Griffiths heads Celtic level
Teams will meet in quarter-final replay

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31680308

Nine-man Dundee United held on at Tannadice to earn a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay with Celtic.

Referee Craig Thomson sent off Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk and United's Paul Paton in an early angry encounter.

Both teams hit the post before United's Aidan Connolly won a hotly contested penalty, which Nadir Ciftci scored.

Terrors defender Paul Dixon was sent off for blocking a goalbound shot and Leigh Griffths had his penalty saved before levelling with a great header.

The first eight minutes were scrappy, but the character of the game changed when, after a flurry of heavy challenges in midfield, Thomson showed the red card to visiting centre-half Van Dijk and, inexplicably, United's Paton.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown slid in on striker Ciftci, available for United after a successful appeal against a two-match suspension, and Van Dijk made an ugly challenge on Calum Butcher, who lashed out at the Dutchman while lying on the turf.

Paton arrived on the scene just after, but it was the holding midfielder and not Butcher who was shown a straight red card, along with Van Dijk, who had tussled with Butcher after the United player retaliated.
United striker Nadir Ciftci runs towards manager Jackie McNamara after scoring a penalty

United striker Nadir Ciftci runs towards manager Jackie McNamara after scoring a penalty

Unless they are successful with an appeal, they will both miss next Sunday's Scottish League Cup final, the second of the three meetings between the teams in 14 days, not including the replay.

The incident further hampered the chances of witnessing any decent football on a muddy, rutted surface.

Indeed, the red cards apart, the first 40 minutes were forgettable.

During that period, a foul by Brown at the edge of his penalty box gave United a free-kick in a central position.

As seven Celtic players lined up to block the shot, three tangerine shirts peeled off the edge of the wall to open up Craig Gordon's goal, but Ciftci's tame shot slipped past.

Celtic, smarting from the midweek league defeat by St Johnstone, which was their first domestic loss of 2015, pushed forward but failed to penetrate the home defence until the 42nd minute when Stefan Johansen cracked a shot from 25 yards that Radoslaw Cierzniak did well to palm away.

United immediately had a chance of their own, with Butcher's poorly hit shot from 18 yards diverted against the Celtic upright by Ryan Dow.

The game swung to the other end and Johansen did brilliantly to squeeze between two United players to set up Anthony Stokes, who ought to have scored but instead rolled the ball, bobbling all the way, against the post.
Leigh Griffiths slams a penalty at the United goal but Radoslaw Cierzniak saves

Leigh Griffiths slams a penalty at the United goal – Radoslaw Cierzniak dived to his left to save it

In added time, Connolly weaved into the Celtic box and jinked past an unorthodox Nir Bitton tackle before crashing to the ground from what looked like only a glancing challenge by Stokes.

Thomson pointed to the spot and Ciftci tucked the penalty low just inside Gordon's right-hand post.

The second half began with now familiar drama, as James Forrest's goalbound shot was blocked by Dixon, who was almost on the goalline, with the aid of his arm.

The United defender was red carded, but Ronny Deila's side could not pull themselves level from the penalty as Cierzniak dived to his left to save Griffiths's well-struck shot.

The little Celtic striker almost made amends when he rose above Jaroslaw Fojut to meet Emilio Izaguirre's cross but headed just over.

In a febrile atmosphere, nine-man United tried to clear their heads as Celtic swarmed.

With half an hour remaining. United's Polish goalkeeper was a match for Stokes' blistering shot from the left after Forrest had run riot in a diagonal charge across the pitch.

But his save from substitute John Guidetti's low drive from a sublime Johansen lay-off was even more impressive, as United fought valiantly for a semi-final place after three defeats and a draw in their last four matches.

For all that, he was undone by a precise 71st-minute header by Griffiths, who timed his run perfectly to stay onside to meet Johansen's delicious clip into the box and direct the ball past the helpless goalie.

Celtic looked to deliver the killer blow, with Bitton and Johansen the most likely to create the decisive moment, and pressed forward relentlessly.

Butcher had the best of United's precious few second-half chances as he strode into the box, but had his shot saved by Gordon.

Cierzniak made a brave save at the feet of Guidetti to earn his team a replay at Celtic Park, which will determine who plays Inverness or Raith Rovers in the semi-finals. Hibernian and Falkirk will meet in the other last-four match.

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Dundee United 1, Celtic 1.
90:00 +5:16 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Dundee United 1, Celtic 1.
90:00 +5:02

Foul by Calum Butcher (Dundee United).
90:00 +5:02

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +2:16 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Darnell Fisher replaces Nir Bitton because of an injury.
90:00 +1:00

Chris Erskine (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
90:00 +0:59

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
89:36

(Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89:36

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
89:08

Attempt saved. John Guidetti (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
86:59 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Stefan Scepovic replaces Leigh Griffiths.
84:48

Chris Erskine (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
84:48

Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
83:47

Foul by Jaroslaw Fojut (Dundee United).
83:47

(Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
82:48

Calum Butcher (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82:48

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
82:05

Attempt missed. John Guidetti (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
81:09

Foul by Calum Butcher (Dundee United).
81:09

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
79:58

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
78:14 Booking

Booking Calum Butcher (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
78:06

Foul by Calum Butcher (Dundee United).
78:06

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
77:09

Attempt missed. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
72:11 Booking

Booking Stefan Johansen (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
72:00

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
71:59

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
71:15

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
71:15

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
70:16 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dundee United 1, Celtic 1. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stefan Johansen.
69:52

Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
69:11

John Rankin (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
69:11

Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
67:06

Foul by Ryan McGowan (Dundee United).
67:06

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
66:52

Attempt saved. John Guidetti (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
66:17

Attempt saved. Calum Butcher (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
65:07 Booking

Booking Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
65:00

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
64:57

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United).
63:30 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Chris Erskine replaces Ryan Dow because of an injury.
63:09 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. John Guidetti replaces Anthony Stokes.
61:08

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
60:19

Attempt blocked. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
54:23

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
52:19

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
50:44

Ryan McGowan (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
50:44

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
50:16 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. John Souttar replaces Aidan Connolly.
49:50

(Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
49:50

Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
49:24

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sean Dillon.
48:58

Penalty saved! Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, left footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
48:30 Dismissal

Dismissal Paul Dixon (Dundee United) is shown the red card for hand ball.
47:42

Penalty conceded by Paul Dixon (Dundee United) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
47:28

Attempt blocked. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
45:24

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan McGowan.
45:00

Second Half begins Dundee United 1, Celtic 0.
45:00 +2:29 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Dundee United 1, Celtic 0.
45:00 +1:47 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Dundee United 1, Celtic 0. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
45:00 +1:00

Penalty Dundee United. Aidan Connolly draws a foul in the penalty area.
45:00 +0:58

Penalty conceded by Anthony Stokes (Celtic) after a foul in the penalty area.
44:15

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box.
43:11

Ryan Dow (Dundee United) hits the right post with a right footed shot from outside the box.
41:55

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
41:39

Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
40:35

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
39:43

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sean Dillon.
38:18

Foul by Ryan Dow (Dundee United).
38:18

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
35:31

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Dixon.
29:20

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Sean Dillon.
28:41

John Rankin (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
28:41

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
23:00

Calum Butcher (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
22:58

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
22:21

Foul by John Rankin (Dundee United).
22:21

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
21:29

Hand ball by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
20:52

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
20:09

Ryan Dow (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
20:09

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
16:42

Foul by Aidan Connolly (Dundee United).
16:42

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
15:55

Attempt saved. Ryan Dow (Dundee United) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
13:25

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
13:25

Foul by Jason Denayer (Celtic).
10:44 Dismissal

Dismissal Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) is shown the red card for fighting.
10:21 Dismissal

Dismissal Paul Paton (Dundee United) is shown the red card for fighting.
7:04

Anthony Stokes (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
7:04

Foul by Ryan McGowan (Dundee United).
5:51

Foul by Stefan Johansen (Celtic).
5:51

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
4:00

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
4:00

Aidan Connolly (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

Dundee United 1-1 Celtic: Heated Scottish Cup quarter-final goes to replay

STV
8 March 2015 17:55 GMT

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/313054-dundee-united-1-1-celtic-heated-scottish-cup-quarter-final-goes-to-replay/

Paul Paton and Virgil Van Dijk Referee Craig Thomson shows a straight red to both Dundee Utd's Paul Paton and Celtic's Virgil Van Dijk.SNS Group

Dundee United and Celtic have it all to do again after a controversial 1-1 Scottish Cup quarter-final tie at Tannadice which saw three red cards and two penalties, one missed.

Referee Craig Thomson sent off Hoops defender Virgil van Dijk and United midfielder Paul Paton after only nine minutes but it looked like it was a case of mistaken identity with regards to the home player, as it had been Calum Butcher who had tangled with the Dutchman.

United striker Nadir Ciftci, who might have been punished following his reaction to a bruising challenge by Hoops skipper Scott Brown which sparked the two dismissals, scored with a penalty in added time in the first-half after Aidan Connolly appeared to go down without much help in the penalty area under pressure from Parkhead forward Anthony Stokes.

Three minutes after the break, United defender Paul Dixon was sent off for blocking a goal-bound drive by Leigh Griffiths, with Terrors keeper Radoslaw Cierzniak saving the subsequent penalty by the Hoops striker, who made amends in the 71st minute when he headed in a Stefan Johansen cross.

This was meant to be the first of a three-match trilogy between the two clubs, who meet in the Scottish League Cup final next Sunday before a Scottish Premiership meeting the following week, but now a replay at Celtic Park will take place on March 18.

The game burst into life when Brown and Ciftci clashed in a tackle – the United forward appeared to leave his foot in – followed by Van Dijk and Butcher who became angrily entwined by their legs on the ground, both trying to escape.

Ciftci was only playing after winning his appeal against a two-match suspension following his clash with Inverness defender Gary Warren last month.

Paton was one of the first on the scene as a melee broke out but when it calmed down, referee Thomson, after speaking to assistant Graham Chambers, dismissed Paton and van Dijk, leaving the United player fuming and everyone in the ground in some confusion.

The game became increasingly tetchy and disjointed before some football broke out just before the break.

In the 42nd minute Cierzniak made a decent save from Johansen's low drive at the expense of a corner which came to nothing.

Moments later, at the other end, Butcher's shot was redirected on to the post by United midfielder Ryan Dow before Celtic broke and Stokes hit the post with only Cierzniak to beat.

There was further woe for the Irishman when Thomson deemed he had tripped Connolly as he burrowed his way into the box, with Cifcti slamming the penalty past Parkhead keeper Craig Gordon.

An early penalty in the second-half was less controversial.

In the 48th minute Thomson no option but to point to the spot when Dixon used his hand to prevent Griffiths' shot from 10 yards levelling the scores.

Cierzniak, however, threw himself to the left to parry Griffiths' spot-kick with Tannadice stopper Jaroslaw Fojut blocking James Forrest with the rebound for a corner which again the home side survived.

Connolly came off for defender John Souttar as Celtic swarmed around the United box looking to equalise.

Cierzniak made a good save from a Stokes drive before he made way for John Guidetti, with Chris Erskine replacing Dow.

The Parkhead side's pressure paid off when Griffiths headed Johansen's cross past the United keeper and into the far corner.

The visitors increased their control on proceedings.

With the home side hanging by a thread, Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton fired a long-distance drive just past the post but United saw out five added minutes although the ramifications from this game will go all the way to League Cup final at Hampden next Sunday.

Celtic: Peter Lawwell says minority cannot slur club's name

By Kheredine Idessane BBC Scotland
Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell says the club's name should not be "slurred" by a few individuals who misbehave at away games.
Lawwell was referring to Uefa disciplinary measures taken against the club for fans lighting flares.
The most recent incident took place during last week's 1-0 defeat by Inter Milan at the San Siro
However, Lawwell said he would be against introducing a strict liability rule for fan misbehaviour in Scotland.
The chief executive does not believe clubs should be punished for inappropriate behaviour by supporters at domestic matches.
He was speaking as Celtic announced a new kit deal with sportswear firm New Balance, a five-year arrangement believed to be worth almost £6m per season to the club, and spoke about several other current issues in the Scottish game.
Lawwell on Celtic's new kit deal
"It will be our biggest kit sponsorship deal ever and we believe it's the biggest in Scottish football history.
"This will obviously help provide finance for [manager] Ronny [Deila], for the team.
"There is some degree of negativity around at the moment in terms of the league. We have, with this deal, have shown that there is a real degree of positivity around this club."
Lawwell on fan behaviour
"Our supporters are magnificent. Clearly there are very isolated incidents of a very, very small minority of people that embarrass the club.
"But there is no material difficulty with Celtic supporters. In fact, we are held in the highest regard from everybody in Europe, clubs and the associations.
"Whoever comes here to Celtic Park – whether it's Manchester United, Barcelona, AC Milan – see this as the best.
"We are doing all we can to identify those who are responsible [for the flare incident] and we'll take the appropriate action.
"You can't look at two people and condemn the football club."
Lawwell on strict liability for fan behaviour in Scotland
"I would not bring it in. I think it can be seen to go against justice as opposed to support justice. We as a club would be against it.
"If you come to Celtic Park for an event, there is no offensive behaviour. The crowds behave impeccably and therefore you have to put the problem into a context and for Celtic, we feel any problem is immaterial."
Lawwell on sectarianism
"I don't recognise Celtic being associated with sectarianism. I don't recognise Celtic being associated with Irish republicanism.
"I don't accept Irish republicanism is in Celtic's history, anywhere in Celtic's history.
"This is a club, since 1888, that has welcomed everyone. It's been inclusive, it's been diverse and open to all.
"We have a very small minority of people who have chants that we would rather not be here. Whether or not that is people who wish to have an Irish republican identity at Celtic is another matter. It's a complicated issue.
"People who promote prescribed terrorist organisations are not welcome at Celtic Park and that has been the case forever and will always be the case.
"But you need to put this into a context. This is a very, very small minority. And it's not at Celtic Park. If there is a problem, it's a very small minority of our away support, which we're dealing with."
Lawwell on re-introducing alcohol at football grounds and safe standing
"We support that.
"Hopefully, we'll get there in the coming months [with safe standing]."