2015-03-18: Celtic 4-0 Dundee United, Scottish Cup

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

Trivia

• Scottish Cup, Quarter-finals replay
• First match was 1-1 in a tense and controversial match.
• This replay means that Celtic are to play Dundee Utd four times in the space of two weeks.
• Three days earlier Celtic beat Dundee Utd 2-0 in the league cup final.
• Incredibly in the three games so far, six players have been sent off in total.
• The game wasn’t on TV anywhere (apart from obscure TV stations abroad) due to the restrictions for the Champions League matches being played the same night elsewhere.

Review

(Bawman of KDS forum)
Well that was easy wasn’t it?

I was certainly amongst those that seen the signings of GMS and Armstrong as the making of this team. Well both were out tonight and we purred along quite nicely.

VvD and Denayer have this thing down, they get it, they get each other and they do their jobs. I thought both fullbacks kept it tight, supported when possible and, (a McGowan tackle apart for Izzy), tackled and pressed the flanks very well. Efe has been a Godsend this last month with injuries and suspensions.

Forrest was outstanding. He was daring and quick, decisive and energetic. ICGAF who he was playing against, he was irresistible and the longer the game wore on, the more they backed off him. All the goals were well worked and well taken with the Griffiths and Commons ones being the pick of the bunch.

Jackie Mac is a winker. There I said it. His team are a bunch of roving thugs and hatchet men with a penchant for tucking up the legs to soften the ref. I can’t wait to stab these bastards in the sporting eyeball this weekend and put them out of their misery. Paton, Butcher and McGowan, kid-on hardmen using every cheap, cowardly trick in the book and a whole bunch more they just make up as they go along. A triumverate of winkery right there.

The biggest thing I noticed tonight was these players are getting better. Not fitter, not more effective, not better at their jobs but literally in front of my eyes, expanding their skillset. I’ve never seen Commons release the ball so quickly and decisively as I did tonight. Stokes put in a shift like he has never done while working the full back. Eh? That’s right, working the fullback!

It’s no longer enough to do your job at Celtic these days. It’s not enough. You need to get better, you need to improve, no flat days and, at the same time, get your job done.

I’m as sick as the next guy at the Deila love-fest these days but credit where it’s due. This guy is a breath of fresh air and just the kind of coach we need to become relevant in the bigger picture of Europe.

Onwards to the treble, these are the best of days.

Teams

Articles

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

Pictures

• Match Pictures

Forum

• Pre-match
• Match
• Post Match

MOTM

• Voting Thread
• Result Thread
• Winner –

Stats

Celtic Dundee United
Possession
42% 58%
90mins

Shots
17 5

On target
8 3

Corners
13 2

Fouls
17 9

Articles

Celtic 4-0 Dundee Utd: Celtic cruise into Scottish Cup semi-final

STV
18 March 2015 22:07 GMT

http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/314371-celtic-4-0-dundee-utd-celtic-cruise-into-scottish-cup-semi-final/
Leigh Griffiths celebration Celtic 4-0 Dundee Utd Scottish Cup March 18, 2015 Leigh Griffiths: Striker celebrates scoring the game’s second goal.SNS

Celtic booked their place in the last-four of the William Hill Scottish Cup with a comfortable 4-0 quarter-final replay victory over Dundee United at Parkhead as both sides ended with 10 men.

Ronny Deila’s side beat United 2-0 in their Scottish League Cup final at Hampden on Sunday and any thoughts of Tayside revenge all but ended in the 17th minute when Hoops defender Jason Denayer headed in a free-kick from Anthony Stokes.

In the third meeting between the clubs in 11 days – the fourth comes in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park on Sunday – Leigh Griffiths, Kris Commons and Virgil van Dijk added further goals.

In the last two clashes four players had been sent off – three from United – so there was no real surprise when, in the closing stages at 3-0, numbers were depleted.

Stokes was shown a straight red card for lashing out at Paul Paton before United defender Ryan McGowan was sent off for a bad tackle on Hoops’ late substitute Liam Henderson.

Celtic set up a semi-final meeting with Inverness at Hampden Park on the weekend of April 18th/ 19th and on this form, the league leaders’ quest for the domestic treble look much more likely than not although the next game against United at the weekend may not be for the squeamish.

There was a complicated back story to this match.

United were without suspended skipper Sean Dillon – sent off on Sunday and injured to boot – and fellow full-back Paul Dixon, who had been red carded when the teams drew 1-1 draw at Tannadice in the first Scottish Cup game.

Midfielder Chris Erskine and Blair Spittal came in with John Rankin and McGowan dropping back to defence, as striker Nadir Ciftci returned from a cup final ban and having escaped a two-match suspension for the replay after successfully appealing the punishment for an alleged kick at Hoops captain Scott Brown in the first match.

Deila made one enforced change to his side with winger James Forrest replacing suspended midfielder Stefan Johansen.

The top tier of Celtic Park was closed, indicating perhaps financial fatigue as much as familiarity breeding contempt but they were promised another absorbing encounter.

Within a minute of kick-off Cierzniak had picked up a booking for fouling Griffiths outside the box, the home support looking for referee Calum Murray to produce a red, although there were back-tracking United players.

As the home side took control, the United keeper made a decent save at his near post from Griffiths.

But when Stokes’ dipping free-kick sped into the box – Tannadice midfielder Calum Butcher had fouled Kris Commons – the ball found the climbing Denayer and the 19-year-old Belgian powered his header just under the bar for his fifth goal of the season.

The Parkhead side probed and prodded with the speedy Forrest causing problems for Rankin down the right flank.

In the 37th minute a cross on the run by the Scotland winger, with Rankin flailing in his wake, was tipped on to the bar and over by Cierzniak for another corner, which United survived.

Moments later, in a rare United counter-attack, Celtic keeper Craig Gordon failed to deal with a McGowan cut back from the byeline but, with Ciftci ready to pounce, Hoops right-back Efe Ambrose cleared the danger.

Two minutes from the interval a poor clearance by Cierzniak landed at the feet of Nir Bitton but the Hoops midfielder was robbed by Tannadice defender Callum Morris before he could inflict any damage.

Within moments of the restart Forrest had skinned Rankin again to find Commons inside the United box but he was crowded out. Curiously, that left-off seemed to inspire United.

The over-lapping McGowan drove the ball across the penalty area without finding a taker before Gordon clawed away a shot from Ciftci, who had picked up the loose ball.

Ambrose, booked in the first-half, fouled Ciftci with the United players making it clear they wanted referee Murray to take more action that merely a free-kick.

The mood among the home fans turned to anxiety but nerves were put at ease when Griffiths stole into the box and showed good technique to volley a lofted pass from Brown past Cierzniak, before he was immediately replaced by John Guidetti.

Celtic were cruising. Cierzniak made a decent save from Stokes and in the 77th minute Commons should have scored when he was set up by the Irishman.

But there was no hesitation a minute later when Guidetti was the provider, the former Derby player driving his shot high into the net from 10 yards.

The two late red cards were no surprise, given recent events, and there was time for Van Dijk to tap into an empty net from a Denayer pass.

BBC

Celtic through to Scottish Cup semi-final
Denayer, Griffiths, Commons and Van Dijk score for Celtic
Anthony Stokes and Ryan McGowan red carded
Both sides meet again in the league on Saturday

Celtic’s dreams of a domestic treble remain intact after a comfortable Scottish Cup quarter-final replay win at home to Dundee United.

Jason Denayer headed Anthony Stokes’ free-kick past Radoslaw Cierzniak in a one-sided first half.

Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons added two more goals before Stokes was sent off for elbowing United’s Paul Paton. Ryan McGowan was also dismissed for the visitors for a foul on Liam Henderson.

Virgil van Dijk added a fourth late on.

The score line reflected the flow of the game with United a pale shadow of the team that had held Celtic to a 1-1 draw in the first game at Tannadice.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle now await Celtic in a Hampden semi-final as they bid to add this trophy to last weekend’s League Cup triumph, while Jackie McNamara has to pick his United players up for a return trip to Glasgow on Saturday, for the final game of four consecutive matches against Ronny Deila’s side.

United could have been down to 10 men after a minute when goalkeeper Cierzniak brought down Griffiths just a few yards from the penalty box, and the Pole was perhaps fortunate to receive only a yellow card.

Celtic continued on the front foot. Griffiths directed Stokes’ cross on target, though only into the arms of Cierzniak, but it was a warning shot and minutes later the home side were in the lead.

Stokes’ curled delivery from a free-kick found Belgian centre-back Denayer, who powered home the header.

It was one attack after another for the home side and James Forrest and Griffiths both had numerous opportunities, with Van Dijk also threatening with a header.

Then Celtic hit the woodwork when Forrest beat John Rankin on the wing and sent over a cross which Cierzniak palmed against the crossbar.
Leigh Griffiths added the finishing touches to Scott Brown’s long pass to make it 2-0 Celtic.

Leigh Griffiths added the finishing touches to Scott Brown’s long pass to make it 2-0 to Celtic

While there was only a goal in it though, United were still in the cup tie. McGowan’s cut back from the byline was parried by Gordon and United forward Nadir Ciftci should have done better but did not realise the ball had landed just behind him.

Celtic defender Nir Bitton could have made it 2-0 when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he passed up his big chance.

United were more threatening in the opening minutes of the second half than they were for the whole of the first half, with McGowan and Ciftci both creating problems.

Just as they looked to be gaining some momentum, Griffiths volleyed Scott Brown’s long pass into the net to give Celtic a second goal.

Cierzniak tipped a Stokes shot round the post, but United’s resistance could not hold out and Commons played a one-two with John Guidetti before finding the back of the net.

Stokes and McGowan saw red within minutes of each other. Stokes for lashing out at Paton with an elbow, and the Australian followed him down the tunnel when he caught Liam Henderson with a hefty challenge.

Van Dijk combined with Denayer to add a fourth late on and wrap up the win.
Jason Denayer gets his head to Anthony Stokes cross to make it 1-0.

Jason Denayer gets his head to Anthony Stokes’ cross to make it 1-0
Kris Commons scored in between goals from Leigh Griffiths and Virgil Van Dijk.

Kris Commons scored in between goals from Leigh Griffiths and Virgil van Dijk
Anthony Stokes was sent off for lashing out at Paul Paton.

Stokes was sent off for lashing out at Paul Paton.
Celtic players react angrily to a Ryan McGowan challenge on Liam Henderson, which saw the defender sent off.

Celtic players react angrily to a McGowan challenge on Liam Henderson, which saw the defender sent off

Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 4, Dundee United 0.
90:00 +2:30 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 4, Dundee United 0.
90:00 +2:08 Booking

Booking John Guidetti (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
90:00 +0:56 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 4, Dundee United 0. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Jason Denayer.
90:00 +0:21 Booking

Booking John Rankin (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
90:00 +0:14

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90:00 +0:14

Foul by John Rankin (Dundee United).
89:22 Booking

Booking Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
88:50 Dismissal

Dismissal Ryan McGowan (Dundee United) is shown the red card.
88:18

Liam Henderson (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88:18

Foul by Ryan McGowan (Dundee United).
87:31

Nir Bitton (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
87:31

Foul by Aidan Connolly (Dundee United).
86:20 Dismissal

Dismissal Anthony Stokes (Celtic) is shown the red card for fighting.
86:07

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
86:07

Paul Paton (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
85:01

Attempt missed. John Guidetti (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
83:30

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Emilio Izaguirre.
82:27

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
82:27

Jaroslaw Fojut (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
81:53 Booking

Booking Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
81:48

John Guidetti (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
81:48

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United).
79:17 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Liam Henderson replaces Kris Commons.
78:18 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, Dundee United 0. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by John Guidetti.
76:16

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
75:43

Attempt saved. Calum Butcher (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
73:50 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Aidan Connolly replaces Blair Spittal.
73:18

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
73:18

Paul Paton (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
71:45 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Darnell Fisher replaces Efe Ambrose.
69:51 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Charlie Telfer replaces Ryan Dow.
69:35 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Henri Anier replaces Chris Erskine.
68:37

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
68:09

Attempt saved. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
67:20

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
67:20

Foul by John Rankin (Dundee United).
64:40

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
64:40

Chris Erskine (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
61:32

James Forrest (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
61:32

Foul by John Rankin (Dundee United).
59:14

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
58:28

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
58:28

Paul Paton (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
57:15 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. John Guidetti replaces Leigh Griffiths.
56:09 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, Dundee United 0. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Scott Brown.
55:24

Attempt missed. Anthony Stokes (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
54:45

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
53:06

Jason Denayer (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
53:06

Foul by Ryan Dow (Dundee United).
52:18

Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
50:44

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
49:43

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
49:43

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
48:53

Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
47:57

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
47:57

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
46:43

Foul by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
46:43

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00

Second Half begins Celtic 1, Dundee United 0.
45:00 +1:04 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 1, Dundee United 0.
45:00 +0:32

Attempt saved. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
45:00 +0:12

Attempt blocked. Kris Commons (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
43:34

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Morris.
40:11 Booking

Booking Efe Ambrose (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
40:07

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
40:07

Ryan Dow (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
39:25

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
39:25

Calum Butcher (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
36:46

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Radoslaw Cierzniak.
35:53

Attempt blocked. Paul Paton (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
34:33

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
34:33

Ryan McGowan (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
32:47

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Paton.
32:24

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jaroslaw Fojut.
31:55

Attempt saved. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the bottom right corner.
31:08

Attempt missed. Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) header from the left side of the six yard box is just a bit too high following a corner.
30:48

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
30:42

Attempt blocked. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
27:00

Foul by James Forrest (Celtic).
27:00

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
25:07

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jaroslaw Fojut.
24:33

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Callum Morris.
23:02

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
20:33

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Paton.
19:09

Attempt missed. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
18:37

Attempt saved. James Forrest (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
17:14

Foul by Anthony Stokes (Celtic).
17:14

Ryan McGowan (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
16:13 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Dundee United 0. Jason Denayer (Celtic) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Anthony Stokes following a set piece situation.
15:42

Foul by Calum Butcher (Dundee United).
15:42

Kris Commons (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
14:31

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
12:30

Blair Spittal (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
12:30

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
5:31

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.
4:14

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Rankin.
3:34

Foul by Efe Ambrose (Celtic).
3:34

Chris Erskine (Dundee United) wins a free kick on the left wing.
3:19

Hand ball by Leigh Griffiths (Celtic).
2:11

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Calum Butcher.
1:10 Booking

Booking Radoslaw Cierzniak (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
1:01

Foul by Radoslaw Cierzniak (Dundee United).
1:01

Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
0:10

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
0:10

Nadir Ciftci (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.