Dundee Utd 1
Celtic 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Celtic came to Tannadice with a host of defensive problems, but made light of these with an attacking first half display. They could consider themselves somewhat unlucky to lead by only a goal at the interval as former United striker, Tommy Coyne failed to find the net from three tremendous scoring opportunities. Part of the blame for this lay at the door of Guido van de Kamp who first of all dived at Coyne's feet to deny him and then beat out his shot. In each case Nicholas had sent Coyne clear. However, it was from a Cascarino cross that we had our narrowest escape when Coyne spooned the ball over from almost point blank range. Our luck ran out five minutes from half-time when Collins and Coyne combined and Chris Morris took a return pass from the latter to slot the ball home via the far post. The first half excitement wasn't finished because on the stroke of half-time, only a fingertip save by Marshall prevented Duncan Ferguson from equalising after our best move of the opening 45 minutes.

Play resumed with Andy McLaren on for Victor Ferreyra and the youngster made an instant impact. He won a couple of corners and after the second of these McStay cleared a Billy McKinlay header off the line, but our equaliser was only temporarily delayed. Billy McKinlay swung over a free kick after Andy McLaren had been fouled and Brian Welsh dived to send a powerful header past Marshall from six yards out. The whole nature of the game had turned round and now it was Celtic's turn to be put under pressure. However, the visitors were still dangerous and O'Neil rattled the United cross-bar with 18 minutes left. The game appeared to be petering out to a draw until the last few minutes when the action became fast and furious. First, McStay went close at one end with Guido van de Kamp blocking the Scotland midfielders shot. Then at the other end Maurice Malpas saw his shot cleared off the line before Miller, Celtic's substitute, drove past with virtually the last kick of the match. So our third successive match finished with a 1-1 final scoreline.