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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Sorry If I misunderstood you voguepunter, 12th July is not a favourite date of mine.
Off to walk wee Riley sniff sniff!
V
Paulsatim, Bamboo and others – my god that is absolutely astonishing. So the Police want to stop association of a group of football fans and are willing to use illegal means to do so?
Is this really what Scotland has come to?
Terry O Neil & Belfast City Celt
Chaps,like all who have posted this afternoon delighted with the result while the performances of some like VC & big Dan were nearly faultless.
Like the both of you I have to raise concern over our throw-ins, what the feck is going on.Having a shy to me is a given that you retain
possession or at worst put the opposition under pressure ie “long throw in”. How often do we give the ball away cheap from our throws ?
Surely the man throwing the ball is always in space to receive it back ! !
Onegripegettingtomebigtime csc.
bamboo says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:20
And ye would think they would have learned the lesson by now,but no,they are still at it ffs! – trying to smash Celtic supporters,it doesn’t work!! In fact it has the opposite effect,it only galvanises us and makes us stronger.
Idiots.
VICTORY TO THE GREEN BRIGADE! :)
BelfastCityCelt. Fella I have to agree with you I havnt seen as many quality youngsters at Celtic Park since the quality street kids and we have another young Swedish International joining us in January.Things look good for us at the moment.H.H.
fourstonecoppi
I don’t really have that strong an opinion either way, his original fee was such a long time ago, and times have changed – I do know he’ll play somewhere regardless.
I think there is room at Celtic for all our combative midfielders, i.e. Brown, Ki, Kayal, Wanyama, Ledley as today proved yet again that Samaras and Forrest do not constitute two men, in a recognised ‘four in the middle’.
This leads to some fans thinking we play more 4-2-4 , whatever it worked today, because overall we were too good for Utd, and should have won much more easily than the scoreline suggests.
There are times when Brown will slot in easily as a tackler, at the expense of a wider, or more non defensive player.
Hail Hail
I have a funny feeling that Neil Lennon knows what he is doing!!
Trust the Manager…
Joe Filippis Haircut says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:26
Indeed.Lenny is building a great wee team.
Great 3 points didnt feel we were in any danger
I hate playing 2 wide men i think we lose that bit of protection and we create less, the 2 strikers had very little service in the 2nd half. Luckily Dundee are very poor bot a better team could take advantage.
With Broonies return (i am not a big fan) he will take the right berth that will only leave 1 place on the left for a creative midfield player,as Vik and BK are really developing a good understanding.
A lot of competition for 1 place in midfield
bamboo says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:20
If the GB are making enemies then they are doing their thang very well indeed. :)))
Rico
Angelgabriel
Interesting point that you raise concerning sideline throw-ins.
It was noticeable to-day and on Wednesday night frequently the player taking the throw had difficulty in finding a teamate to recieve the ball as most times the guys turned their backs on the thrower – seemed to shy away from responsibility.
Some of our corners were also very poor quality to-day.
Did not realise that the green brigade were Marxist,lost my vote.
angelgabriel says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:26
It is strange mate.Doesn’t seem to make any difference though,but you are correct.
A minor complaint from me,but they should do a wee bit more work in training,on set plays.
Throw-ins,penalties,corners etc.
St,John Doyle. For me it would be Broonie on the right and Ledley on the left Kayal and Victor in the middle. Forrest Ki Sammi on the bench. However,the good thing is it gives Lennie choices.H.H.
voguepunter says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:37
Lol.
I may have to re-consider my support for the Green Brigade as well.
Pesky Commies! :)
Three points at Tannadice is always very welcome.
We started and finished the game well, but sagged during the middle third.
I think this was partly due to Victor falling out of the game, during this time.
I was surprised to see him in the team, considering that he was “doubtful” after Wednesday, therefore I understand his quiet spell.
The benefit of having Brown and Ki on the bench was that when they came on, we increased our momentum and took complete control of the midfield again and gave us scope to change things up fron, where I thought Stokes was off the pace all day.
All in all, a good day. No poor performances, with some players having very good games.
Dan, Loovens, Hooper(first half) , Sammi and Forrest put in good shifts.
The aforementioned Victor was very good, particularly in the first half, but, for me Beram Kayal was the best man on the park for ninety minutes.
When VW tired, Kayal carried the midfield on his own, until Brown and Ki lent their assistance.
Well done, Celts.
Just on. Watched game on telly. Delighted with 1-0 win. Brilliant play in 1st haf, especially first 20 minutes. Not too unhappy with second half performance as I felt win was never in doubt. Neil will be happy with points. We are well back in the race for the Championship. It must have bee really bad at Ibrox yesterday as press are practically apologising for the penalty given agains Dunfermline. They must be really embarrased!
I am hopeful that December will be a big month for us and that by the turn of the year we will be sitting at the top. Sammi was brilliant today in first half and Hooper can’t stop scoring at the moment. United never really threatened today. Things are looking good just now. Well done to all the Celtic players and staff!
Oh and the Green Brigade were brilliant as well. As a special request can I ask them to chant the “Celtic, Come on you Bhoys in Green etc” early on in games as it gets others supporters involved in making noise and creating atmosphere. I felt that the GB only did this late in the game and the atmosphere was not as good as a consequence.
Keep up the good work Celtic and the Green Brigade.
I think the BIG difference in Celtic’s recent performances has been the form of Wanyama, ably supported by Kayal. Few, if any, SPL teams can match them. I hope our manager does not bring in the club captain at the expense of the partnership.
Unbelievable save there from the Sunderland goalkeeper.
BelfastCityCelt
The polis and the writer should be made to explain – who made this comment . R Shorthouse????
Oh, good to see the Hoops again today. Let’s consign these rubbish strips to the dustbin where they belong.
googybhoy ♥ Celtic says:
4 December, 2011 at 15:56
Tell Shug ah wis askin fur him,aye we used tae argue aw the time well it wis usually me handin oot stick tae Tommy Coyne or Tam McAdam while Shug wis more thoughtful an could enlighten me tae their merits which ah wis blind tae.
Coming oot ah gemme when we get beat ah wid rant he wid stay silent,he knows eez fitbaw.
Joe Filippis Haircut says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:37
I agree with your line-up I just dont think that midfield is very creative with no one with a killer pass for our strikers.
It certainly will be a strong midfield and will help our defence especially when we can pick a settled back 4 for a string of games. The solid middle 4 should be a good platform to extend our run of victories especially up to and including the 28th.
I was in north London last week and I did see a few GBers paying homage at Karl Marx’s grave.
I believe the Green Brigade are also Grouchoist.
Celtic_First says @ 15:35
>> We are now three points further ahead of
>> second-placed Motherwell and a big step closer to the title.
Like what you did there. :-)
Dropped 50 backing us to win minus two goals.Thank god for Melbourne Heart though,whoever they are!
12/4/2011 3:28:33 AM 506/
544 W:150.00 Single Melbourne Heart v Wellington Phoenix/Match Betting Melbourne Heart 10/11 Won C £150.00 £286.36
12/4/2011 3:26:07 AM 504/
542 W:50.00 Single Dundee Utd v Celtic/Match Handicap 2 Celtic -2 9/2 Lost C £50.00 £0.00
:p
Forza Brigada Verde…
Always have been huns, always will be huns.
It’s in their DNA
“On the terracing at the Dalmornock end on Saturday there was congregated a gang, thousands strong, including the dregs and scourings of filthy slumdom, unwashed yahoos, jailbirds, night hawks, won’t-works, ‘burroo barnacles’, and pavement pirates, all, or nearly all, in the scarecrow stage of verminous trampdom. This ragged army of insantitary pests was lavishly provided with orange and blue remnants, and these were flaunted in challenge as the football tide flowed this way or that. Practically with out cessation for ninety minutes or more, the vagabond scum kept up a strident howl of the ‘Boyne Water’ chorus. Nothing so designedly provoking, so maliciously insulting, or so beastially ignorant has ever been witnessed even in the wildest exhibitions of Glasgow Orange bigotry…..Blatantly filthy language of the lowest criminal type assailed the shocked ears of decent onlookers. There was no getting away from it, chanted as it was by thousands of voices in bedlamite yells. The stentorian use of filthy language is a crime against the law of the land. Policemen lined the track and listened to the hooligan uproar, yet nothing was done to stop it. The scandal was renewed with increased violence in London Road after the match. Is it possible the blue mob can do just anything and get away with it? Prompt official steps were taken to suppress and prosecute the green brake-club lads who dared to sing ‘The Dear Little Shamrock’ in Paisley Road. Yet thousands of foul-mouthed and blasphemous Orange ruffians are free to run amok over the East End of Glasgow. How do you account for it?”
For those mentioning our wastefulness at throw-ins, I have been watching us for the better part of 60 years and we have never been good at it. I don’t know why but we never seem to practise such things.
starry,stop showing off,I’m struggling with the hinglish
TET
Always a favourite of mine mi amigo.
You just can’t the press anymore.
Contested stoat-ups should be the norm.
Today we took the ball from our area to the edge of Utd area and the referee blew because someone was injured. It took him long enough to blow but that is not my gripe.
The play was restarted with a stoat-up that allowed Utd to hoof the ball all the way back to our goalie.
This is a nonsense, no matter which teams are involved nor whether it is to our advantage.
AngelGabriel and Hankray
The poor use of throw ins has been a fault of Celtic teams for decades. My pal and I have noticed this from the 70s until the present day. The coaching in this aspect of the game seems to be poor from successive management teams. Players are static, there is no movement to make themselves available to the thrower. The supporters got on the back of the team at one such incident against Atletico and it was again evident today.
This is an area that the coaches need to work on.
bamboo @16:20
The Scotsman piece has sinister connotations but is also a pretty dumb thing for them to allegedly imply. I’ve just written to Strathclyde Police for clarification if they actually meant this, and if so, what exactly does “extreme lengths” mean?! If they didn’t, then surely they should be taking the Scotsman to task over misrepresenting them so badly here?
HH
hankray says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:18
Good assesment of the game
voguepunter says:
4 December, 2011 at 16:50
Ganbare Green Brigade!!!
Shout that out in the vogue you’re guaranteed a drink from a passing tourist…
got to love the away fans..
better than sitting in a pub with clowns in the pub.