Celtic did enough in the opening 16 minutes to put this game beyond Dundee United but only managed to score once, an excellent effort from Gary Hooper, before United tightened up and made a contest of the game.
Georgios Samaras sprung past the United defence inside the first 30 seconds and squared the ball across the six yard line but Stokes arrived a split-second late to convert. That signalled a period of relentless Celtic pressure as the home team found it impossible to get out of their own half or hodl any kind of possession.
Gary Hooper controlled a long clearlance inside the centre circle on 12 minutes before knocking the ball square to James Forrest, who had space to exploit. Forrest drove forward before returning the pass to Hooper inside the box. The Celtic striker turned outside Gunning before driving a shot low inside Dusan Pernis’ right had post to open the scoring.
Celtic continued to press forward with Forrest again involved in their most dangerous moves. The young winger threaded a through ball to Anthony Stokes on the edge of the area before racing past the defensive line to meet the return pass on the volley but his shot struck Pernis.
Give-and-go football was proving effective for Celtic and on 41 minutes Cha Du-Ri played a one-two with Forrest but could not convert his shot.
Celtic were so dominant in the first half their only real concern must have been why they were not further ahead but the second half proved to be more of a contest. Dundee United’s passing was poor all afternoon but Celtic slipped to their level, frequently succumbing to unforced errors. The visitors were never in any trouble defensively but Neil Lennon decided to shake things up in midfield, and substituted central defender, Glenn Loovens, pulled Victor Wanyama back and brought Scott Brown into midfield.
The subsequent change, bringing Ki on for Stokes gave Celtic more athleticism and meant that the final few minutes, which are often tense when defending a one goal lead, were contested almost exclusively in the United half. Fraser Forster had a few catches and the odd punch but had a relatively easy afternoon.
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Anyone else notice everytime Thompson ref,s our games he is always in the middle of the field notably when our midfielders are trying to set up a move causing our players to try and get passed him before completing passes, just an obsevation
Ahevenin all,
how good was Vic tday
Shaedan, welcome… good to see the younger crowd on here… might keep some of these ould reprobates in order
hamiltontim
Too right mate.
Some weather on the way back between Perth and Stirling today.
Chapel n church?????
bored or what :¬)
You go to the church, when you’re there you may visit the chapel which is inside the church.
keepingitsimpleCSC
Oh man, Kelly Rowland…..family blog, shut it!
TTTT
Malorbhoy
Craig Thomson is very good at what he does.
paulsatim is neil lennon says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:14
That is an astonishing last paragraph from the Scotsman.
Is there a private war going on back in oul’ Scotia?
Privately, the police have admitted that it is their intention to “smash” the Irish Republican, Marxist Green Brigade. They are willing to go to extreme lengths, in terms of their use of survelliance and a wide range of extraneous powers, to do so. Meanwhile, Cetic would privately welcome a slap on the wrists from UEFA this week since they, and the vast majority of their supporters, want Celtic Park free of the embarrassment they feel over paens to the IRA – as the stadium was for the decade before the Green Brigade was formed. The complexities on these matters do not begin and end with what comes from supporters’ mouths.
‘GG astounded of forehead
CHAPEL BECAUSE IT WAS A PRIVATE PLACE OF WORSHIP..
I AINT FOR HIDING ANYWHERE..
AS YOU CAN SEE BY THE CAPS… SORRY BHOYS.. O)
T4
what you going to do now that celeb is finished?
Hate that word ‘chapel’ I always felt it was a word used by thems to make us different.
A chapel is a place of worship inside private grounds.
Call the house of worship anything you want, as long as you find solace – it is good.
Malorbhoy
Thompshun was brilliant today, a true master class in how the cheat without making any contraversial decisions, for a change I was calm cos I felt the team were in complete control.
He broke up our momentum time after time, he was superb.
Thought I would take in the highlights of the match on Sky, you know sometimes you miss things at the game and watching the highlights offers more depth.
Now I knew the second half was bad so I watched what Sky would offer. They cover the kick off then march off to the 83rd minute, yes folks it was that bad. As good as the first half was equally as bad in the second. Not to worry 3 points is 3 points and not a save to be made by the big man.
looking forward to Hearts game next week as said good victory today.My only concern what is Whyte boys game what is his game plan A B C D…………………..
sorry for causnig an arguement bhoys…
it was only a wee joke between me and bjmac…
lets all slag big sammi instead..
That wee Shaedan is a clever bhoy,must take it off his mammy.
Good luck to you wee mhan.You deserve it.
THE EXILED TIM
Spot on mate.
Hail Hail.
BT – it won’t involve a chapel or church! ;-)
Your church is yer gang hut and the supplies in there!
Vmhan – whit is Coorslad doing in NE England?!
T4
BT
See whit you’ve started ya maniac! ;-)
hh
Mathews corners were woeful. Throw – ins hopless as we have been for the last 40yrs. But we won fairly amen!!
I like sammi bjmac…
voguepunter says:
4 December, 2011 at 20:46
That wee Shaedan is a clever bhoy,must take it off his mammy.
Good luck to you wee mhan.You deserve it.
************
Any cleverer and we will be starting a CQN trust to cover the university fees. :-)
Tom English tweet
“MattLindsayET Let’s be clear. Aluko cheated. Rangers in a bad place when they need an own goal and a crap pen decision to beat Dunfermline.”
see that the SFA reveiw panel might be having a look at Aluko`s cheating yesterday. Would be great to see him get fecked for it.but it will just be ayellow card, big deal…..where`s the reward for Dunfermline?
Conroy is attempting to steal Gollums Uncle Tim crown,he`s a real danger…….Dullarses Disciples are still doing his bidding.
A sad farewell to Socrates.
anyone who watch the brilliant brazllians in 82 will know just how great he and his team were.
Not sure if already posted but after the game in Seville when Brazil beat Scotland 4-1, WGS was selected to give a urine sample alongside Socrates after the game.
The game was played in warm temperatures and WGS was finding it difficult to provide a sample. Socrates walks in with a beer in one hand, takes the sample bottle and immediately provides a sample.
WGS just looks on wishing he could do the business so he could get out of there. Socrates exchanges a few words of chit chat, picks up another beer and leaves WGS to wait for the moment when he can finally do the business.
Bjmac
I’ve got an image of you sitting at home watching x factor whilst stroking that hat you had on the day!!
Do you have a license for it :)))
T4,I was on secret mission,London is no more..back to Derry..
jmccormick
I think they need to have a look at the performance of Steve Conroy yesterday.
One free kick awarded against them in 90 minutes!!!
Mmmmmmm
Mr Stimpson says:
4 December, 2011 at 20:50
Who was takeing the piss? :-)
taking the piss even??
coorslad
I can hear you now; I wish I was back home in Derry..
I would like to add my own wee “village” to the diaspora of support across the globe. It is a small beach community within the boundaries of San Diego called Pacific Beach. Year round sunshine that benefits mostly a college population.
In the summer months it is a destination to young Irish students and I have. Had many a pleasurable evening out in the restaurants and bars during this time, discussing all things all things Celtic with these youngsters.
It’s Hun free around here and, in fact, a Celtic top will earn you a drink in more than one bar from the many Americans that comment in approval of the jersey.
Are we playing Thursday and Saturday Or Sunday?
Parma v Palermo like watching a game in the Turkish Baths – or a Steamie!
tommytwiststommyturns says:
4 December, 2011 at 20:47
***********************
Whit? he’s been posting from Londonderry today trying to get someone to bite, I nearly bit his heid aff!
V
HH
jude2005
Our throwins were no better in the days of the Lisbon Lions.
See that brit public, no taste I tell ya, just voted off the best singer left in the X factor, no idea, scunnered :>)
Rafa Benitez taking over at PSG