2015-03-21: Celtic 3-0 Dundee Utd, SP

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

Trivia

• Celtic remain on top of the league, 66pts, 5 ahead of Aberdeen (2nd) but we've one game in hand.
• Fourth time playing Dundee Utd in a row. Other three games saw two in Scottish Cup (one draw, one Celtic win) and Celtic's league cup final win last Sunday.
• Six red cards in these four games so far. None today.
• Celtic unbeaten in the games.
• GMS and Armstrong back for Celtic side as were cup tied previously.
• Tensions increased following both sides throwing mud at each other about tackles made, which each side claims could have ended players careers. Mud slinging from both sides.
• Dundee Utd player Paul Paton has accused Celtic of influencing match officials following the latest bad-tempered episode in the ongoing series of games between Dundee United and the Parkhead club. Nonsense.
• Ryan McGowan's appeal against Celtic red card not heard by the SFA before this game. So was free to play at Parkhead.
• Lustig admits he's out for the season due to ankle injuries. We hope him a good period of recovery.
• In European competition, exits of all sides means EPL has failed to produce a European club quarter-finalist for the first time since 1992-93 season. My heart bleeds for them.
• Real Madrid might be considering farming out 16-year-old wunderkind Martin Odegaard, who Deila blooded at Stromsgodset
• Ex-Celt Paul McGowan (left years back) charged with assaulting policemen. Not first misdemeanor, and likely to be jailed. Only 27. Hope he can sort himself out in time.
• Rugby: Scotland humiliated in six nations ending today with both a thumping from Ireland at home plus the wooden spoon with five defeats.
• Scotland v N Ireland in midweek friendly.

Review

(Tim W of KDS forum)
We buried them in the first half, by the second half we were both playing like two teams heartily sick of each other who just wanted to get it over with. Thank god we're playing someone else next.

Glad to see Armstrong and GMS back, and as someone else said the fact that we can change our whole front four and still scud the opposition is a pretty decent sign.

Denayer and Van Dijk are in their pomp. Would love to keep them both through CL qualifying at least …

That tackle on GMS should have been a red.

(George M of KDS forum)

On paper beforehand this miniseries with United promised to be a nervy and tiresome reminder of the domestic game's parochialism. What it actually turned out to be was one of the most interesting and satisfying sequences I've seen Celtic produce. This was one of the new pretenders, even before the demise of the hun and the double relegation over in Edinburgh. Dundeed Utd have had their house in order, and we've just knocked it down. There might be other clubs I'd prefer to have done this to (Motherwell, Kilmarnock…), but you don't get to choose.

Over the piece it was utterly ruthless. A remorseless, relentless tightening of the screws as Deila resisted any temptation to tinker or rest key players. Suspensions and cup-tying did that job for him. The manager and the team simply ground down a decent opponent into so much bone meal. There's no room for sentiment in this Deila's first season, and he showed none. That impresses me hugely; it's no more Mr. Nice Guy. He has to have that mean streak to progress here.

A clutch of great goals and some truly contemptible individuals in orange didn't hurt the spectacle either. Brown's pass to Griffiths in the cup replay probably stands out for me, but watching Forrest humiliate Rankin for 90 minutes was a treat in itself. McNamara will have to look at himself as his team completely lost the plot Wednesday and on the Saturday just stuck put their heads on the chopping block. That team was beaten in the tunnel before a ball was kicked.

And that is brilliant.

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Stats

Celtic Dundee United
Possession
37% 63%
90mins

Shots
12 9

On target
5 4

Corners
7 5

Fouls
10 10

Articles

Celtic 3 – 0 Dundee United: Celts take it easy

http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spfl/celtic-3-0-dundee-united-celts-take-it-easy-1-3724922
ANDREW SMITH AT CELTIC PARK
23:14Saturday 21 March 2015

THE only possibility of argy-bargy as this – previously – fizzing, four-game series came to an end would have been if the two sides had indulged in a pillow fight at full-time. This was a slumberfest of an afternoon. In part because of the sunshine, in part because of the anodyne nature of Dundee United against Celtic.

Scorers: Celtic – Mackay-Steven 16; Guidetti 33; Denayer 45

According to onlookers, the Tannadice team slouched off their team bus. They couldn’t be blamed for possessing little enthusiasm for facing up to a Celtic side who in the past week had taken six goals off them for the cost of one as they effectively destroyed their season.

Too much has been made of the red cards in this unique Scottish football serial, with six sending-offs in the previous three meetings across the past fortnight. Not enough had been made of the absence of any attacking intent since United drew with Celtic what seems another lifetime ago to set up Wednesday’s Scottish Cup final replay that provided them a 4-0 flaying. On the back of the 3-0 reverse in the League Cup final a week ago, before yesterday the heart seemed to have been ripped out of Jackie

McNamara’s side for such contests.

Yet, on a day when Celtic tightened their grip on the title with a win that allowed them to move five points ahead of an Aberdeen side that drew at Dens, it was how that the heart had been ripped out of United side even before this quartet of confrontations came to pass that would have caused those of a tangerine disposition to believe Celtic were squeezing the juice from the pip.

It just had to be Gary Mackay-Steven – with a 20-yard swerver that seemed to find the far right-hand corner of Radoslaw Cerzniak’s net with guided-missile precision – that set the Scottish champions up for a breeze of an afternoon. Owing to his cup-tied status for the previous three games in this saga, the winger was playing in his first game against the side he left in January along with fellow midfielder Stuart Armstrong. Out of respect he chose not to celebrate the 16th-minute opener.

The heavy symbolism in Mackay-Steven – it could have easily been Armstrong – showing a potency on a day when Celtic changed their entire quarter of attackers from midweek, with the former United pair joined by John Guidetti and Stefan Johansen, was not lost on

McNamara. The opener hurt, but so did the “softness”, the “lack of belief” and the fact players “were feeling sorry for themselves” in going into the interval with facing a 3-0 deficit.

“Obviously there has been a lot made in the last month of the departures of the two boys,” said Mcnamara, who admitted the last two games, not just yesterday, had been games “too far”, mentally as much as physically for his players. “But teams go on, players move. You can’t look back, you have to look forward. We have to regroup. The lads will recover now and we have to for the games coming up.”

United never looked like recovering from the early blow. Frankly, they looked beaten before they started. It is little wonder McNamara could take some comfort from their “rolling up their sleeves” in the second half. After Celtic’s second and third goals, the latter seconds before Kevin Clancy sounded his whistle for the break, a mere 10-1 aggregate for the four games across 14 days seemed beyond yesterday’s visitors.

What turned out to be Celtic’s final strike was a backheeler from close in by centre-back Jason Denayer, who capitalised to net his sixth goal after a Virgil van Dijk effort following a free-kick had been partially blocked. The Belgian teenager, called up on Friday by his international squad, said afterwards he had his sights set on breaking the ten-goal mark after scoring in a manner he had “never” before. Yesterday was, he said, an “important” day in the championship race, with the importance of players with the “pace and agility” of Mackay-Steven and Armstrong a factor in the difference between the sides.

So too was the increasingly distracted-looking Guidetti, who seemed so unenthused by scoring just after the half-hour mark with a drive he curled into the top corner from the edge of the box, that he didn’t celebrate.

McNamara, privately, may have celebrated the end of a mad run of Celtic encounters. He will surely be relieved to move on from a circus wherein decisions, disputes and the odd desperate dunt has resulted in some classic media exaggeration and manipulation. The United manager is smart enough to recognise that. “Lots has been made over the last couple of weeks, of build-up, of tackles, of the tackle on Wednesday [when Ryan McGowan was red-carded for his challenge on Liam Henderson]. It is what it is. The only one who is missing through injury is our captain [Sean Dillon], through stitches in his shin last week [at the League Cup final] in an accidental injury. It has all been more of a sideshow than anything else.”

Ultimately, it has all been too much of a horror show for United.

Celtic: Gordon; Ambrose; Denayer; Van Dijk; Izaguirre; Brown; Bitton; Mackay-Steven (Commons 70); Johansen; Armstrong (Henderson 76); Guidetti (Scepovic 70).

Dundee United: Czerniak; McGowan; Fojut; Souttar; Dixon; Paton; Butcher (Dow 46); Rankin; Telfer (Muirhead 78); Spittal (Anier 78); Ciftci.

Referee: K Clancy. Attendance: 45,884

BBC
By Alasdair Lamont BBC Scotland at Celtic Park

Celtic extend lead at top to 5 points
Gary Mackay-Steven scores against his old club
John Guidetti and Jason Denayer also score for Celtic

Celtic extended their lead at the top of the Premiership with a third successive win over Dundee United.

There was an air of formality about this one as soon as the former United star Gary Mackay-Steven had put his new club ahead.

John Guidetti and Jason Denayer added to the lead before the break.

Aberdeen's draw earlier in the day at Dundee means Celtic are now five points clear at the top and on this form a stick-on for the title.

The United manager Jackie McNamara admitted before the match he would be glad to see the back of Celtic and nothing he witnessed over the course of the afternoon would have given him cause to change that opinion.

Aside from highlighting an obvious inferiority to Celtic, the result extends United's winless streak to eight games, a run that will have to be arrested if they are to retain hopes of a top-three finish.

To rub further salt in United's wounds, Mackay-Steven was an influential figure, never more so than when he put his new club in front.

With time and space in the inside-right position, the winger collected the ball before firing an early strike through a crowd of bodies and low past the diving Radoslaw Cierzniak.

His lack of celebration would scarcely have eased the United fans' anguish and his hand in the second goal would've piqued it further.
Celtic's Gary Mackay-Steven was a pivotal figure against his old club.

Celtic's Gary Mackay-Steven was a pivotal figure against his old club.

He rolled the ball into the path of Guidetti whose shot from just outside the area took a deflection and looped over the goalkeeper.

Mackay-Steven was scythed to the ground by Paul Paton as United's frustration began to creep to the fore, but it was only increased as the resultant free kick by Stefan Johansen was met by Virgil van Dijk and though his shot was partially blocked, Denayer back-heeled past Cierzniak.

The visitors' attacking threat was virtually non-existent until well into the second half when Craig Gordon was at last brought into the action to tip over from Ryan Dow and gather a long-range drive from Paul Dixon.

Virgil van Dijk also had to show his defensive prowess to race back to deny Nadir Ciftci a shot on goal, but in truth the game had already been won by half-time.

There was no repeat of the nastiness that had been evident in the previous matches between the teams as United, instead, submitted meekly to the league leaders.
Live Text Commentary
Full time

Full Time Match ends, Celtic 3, Dundee United 0.
90:00 +1:58 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Celtic 3, Dundee United 0.
90:00 +1:29

Attempt missed. Kris Commons (Celtic) left footed shot from the right side of the box is too high.
89:06

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Paton.
85:05 Booking

Booking Scott Brown (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
85:01

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
85:01

Ryan Dow (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84:19

Attempt blocked. Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
83:25

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jaroslaw Fojut.
82:27

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
82:27

Ryan Dow (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
81:15

Attempt missed. Paul Paton (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
80:47

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
80:29

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
80:29

Paul Paton (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
78:49

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Paul Dixon.
77:15 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Robbie Muirhead replaces Charlie Telfer.
77:06 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Henri Anier replaces Blair Spittal.
76:51

Stefan Scepovic (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
76:51

Foul by Ryan Dow (Dundee United).
75:37 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Liam Henderson replaces Stuart Armstrong.
73:36 Booking

Booking Nir Bitton (Celtic) is shown the yellow card.
73:30

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
73:30

Ryan Dow (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
73:00

Jaroslaw Fojut (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
72:58

Foul by Scott Brown (Celtic).
69:44 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Kris Commons replaces Gary Mackay-Steven.
69:33 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Celtic. Stefan Scepovic replaces John Guidetti.
66:58

Attempt saved. Paul Dixon (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
63:47

Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
61:48

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Craig Gordon.
61:37

Attempt saved. Ryan Dow (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner.
60:56

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Efe Ambrose.
59:37

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Virgil van Dijk.
56:19

Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
53:55

Attempt saved. John Rankin (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
50:49

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.
50:02

Virgil van Dijk (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
50:02

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United).
48:56

Attempt saved. Charlie Telfer (Dundee United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
46:37

Foul by Virgil van Dijk (Celtic).
46:37

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

Second Half begins Celtic 3, Dundee United 0.
45:00 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Dundee United. Ryan Dow replaces Calum Butcher.
45:00 +1:40 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Celtic 3, Dundee United 0.
45:00 +0:42 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 3, Dundee United 0. Jason Denayer (Celtic) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Virgil van Dijk following a set piece situation.
45:00 +0:21 Booking

Booking Paul Paton (Dundee United) is shown the yellow card.
45:00 +0:12

Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
45:00 +0:12

Foul by Paul Paton (Dundee United).
44:19

Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
44:19

Foul by Blair Spittal (Dundee United).
43:09

Corner, Dundee United. Conceded by Jason Denayer.
42:53

Attempt blocked. John Rankin (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
40:35

Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) wins a free kick on the left wing.
40:32

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United).
38:55

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
38:55

Ryan McGowan (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
38:05

Attempt missed. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
37:54

Attempt saved. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
36:39

Attempt missed. Stefan Johansen (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
35:52

Foul by John Guidetti (Celtic).
35:52

Calum Butcher (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
34:43

John Guidetti (Celtic) wins a free kick on the right wing.
34:43

Foul by Jaroslaw Fojut (Dundee United).
32:36 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 2, Dundee United 0. John Guidetti (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Gary Mackay-Steven.
29:44

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Jaroslaw Fojut.
28:28

Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
23:20

Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner.
20:41

Attempt saved. Nir Bitton (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
20:23

Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
20:23

Foul by Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United).
19:50

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Ryan McGowan.
18:28

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
18:28

Foul by Paul Paton (Dundee United).
18:09

Scott Brown (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
18:09

Foul by Paul Dixon (Dundee United).
15:24 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Celtic 1, Dundee United 0. Gary Mackay-Steven (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Efe Ambrose.
14:00

Stefan Johansen (Celtic) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
13:57

Foul by Paul Dixon (Dundee United).
11:40

Attempt missed. Stuart Armstrong (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
7:25

Attempt missed. Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
6:45

Foul by Nir Bitton (Celtic).
6:45

Nadir Ciftci (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
5:53

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by John Souttar.
4:46

Foul by Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
4:46

Blair Spittal (Dundee United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
0:00

First Half begins.
0:00

Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

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