BRENDAN RODGERS bemoaned the lack of a cutting edge to round off Celtic’s dominance in the scoreless stalemate against Dundee United this afternoon.
The Hoops manager’s first appearance at Tannadice was not a memorable one as the champions failed to impose their superiority on their opponents.
The best chance of the encounter fell to the normally-reliable Kyogo Furuhashi late in the game, but just when the travelling fans thought they would have something to celebrate, the Japanese striker walloped the ball off advancing keeper Jack Walton and the chance was squandered.
The hosts’ netminder was rarely troubled throughout the afternoon, but made a smart save to turn over a header from Daizen Maeda and also blocked a close-range drive from Arne Engels in stoppage-time.
HEADS YOU LOSE…Daizen Maeda nods the ball goalwards, but keeper Jack Walton is in line to save.
It was a contest from which Celtic could – and should – have emerged with three points. The firing squad, though, were way off target this time around for the first time in the league in this campaign.
Rodgers said: “We had enough of the ball in the areas we wanted to, but we just failed to show that little bit of guile and that bit of quality in the final third of the pitch.
“I thought that, especially in the first-half, we didn’t work the keeper enough. We had got into some really good areas, but didn’t hit the target.
“The effort was there and the commitment of the players in difficult conditions.”
Rodgers, speaking to Celtic TV, added: “Give credit to Dundee United. I thought they defended very well in the moments they had to, especially in the second-half.
THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers embraces Kasper Schmeichel after the keeper registers another shut-out in the goalless draw at Tannadice.
“We gave everything, we want to win every game, but we didn’t do that today so we’ll now move on to our next game on Thursday.”
Celtic welcome Motherwell to Parkhead on Boxing Day and there could be comebacks for Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty who missed out on Tayside after picking up a bug during the week.
Alistair Johnston, with a hip injury, and Nicolas Kuhn, nursing a knee problem, were also forced onto the sidelines, but could be in contention for the visit of the Fir Park club.
The champions may have fired blanks on this occasion, but they still hold a nine-point advantage in the Premiership as they bid for their fourth successive title, their thirteenth flag in 14 years and 55th crown in their history.
BLANKETY-BLANK AS CHAMPS STUMBLE
