Celtic 0
Dundee Utd 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Parkhead, not for the first time, proved to be a venue for one of our best performances, for us to notch our first away win of the season. Even although we were without the services of the suspended Miodrag Krivokapic, the defence held firm and in almost customary manner against Celtic we repeatedly hit the home side on the break.After only five minutes we created the first incisive opening of the game. Dave Bowman met a Freddy Van Der Hoorn cross with his chest, but overran the ball. Kevin Gallacher then intercepted a pass-back from Elliott and back-heeled the ball into the path of Michael O'Neill, but Bonner saved his shot. The first of two glaring chances which went abegging came in the 18th minute. Jim McInally found Kevin Gallacher who swung over a cross which Mixu Paatelainen nudged over the bar. A misdirected pass back by Michael O'Neill presented Celtic with about their only chance of the first half. Dziekanowski pounced but Alan Main easily saved the Pole's shot. Before half-time Mixu Paatelainen shot wide from a good position and Chris Morris tested Pat Bonner when he almost sliced a clearance into his own net.

The second half started with Alex Cleland substituting for the injured Freddy Van Der Hoorn, but the chances continued to crop up and be passed up in front of Celtic's goal. Pat Bonner beat away a shot from Jim McInally and from the ensuing corner Michael O'Neill looked certain to score from a Jim McInally cross but the ball somehow stayed out and Bonner came to the rescue. Another dangerous moment for the Celtic defence came from a Jim McInally cross, but Billy McKinlay headed wide. In 72 minutes Alan Main made his only save of note when he clutched a Galloway shot. Five minutes later we finally found the net. Billy McKinlay knocked the ball into Kevin Gallacher's path and though Bonner blocked his first effort he was powerless to prevent Kevin stabbing home the rebound. Before the end we could well have scored twice more - firstly Bonner and the woodwork combined to deny Michael O'Neill's header after great work by Kevin Gallacher and with four minutes left Billy McKinlay lobbed the ball just over.