Dundee Utd 1
Celtic 0
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

Revenge is sweet, but all United fans would dearly have loved it if this had been the result after last season's Cup final. Still it is no good dwelling on the past and there is certainly a lot to look forward to if this display is to be the guideline. Celtic, the defending champions, rarely looked like scoring and almost all the scoring chances fell our way. The first threat on goal arose when Mixu Paatelainen pounced on a misdirected passback and shot narrowly wide.

Billy McKinlay was next to go close after 15 minutes with a crisply hit half volley from just outside the box, which was only fractionally high. Three minutes later we took the lead. Kevin Gallacher, who was a thorn in the Celtic defence all afternoon, swooped on a casually hit back pass by Mick McCarthy and Kevin strode on to beat Andrews, the ball entering the net via the inside of the post.

Kevin was almost on target shortly afterwards, but his first time angular drive ran just passed the post. Mixu Paatelainen then had a shot from close in which Andrews gathered at the second attempt. The half ended with another chance for United, Mixu Paatelainen just failing to put away a header at the far post.

Celtic may have had the greater share in possession, but when it came to make chances, we were always the side who looked likelier to score. The best of those fell to Jim McInally, who couldn't quite make proper contact with Kevin Gallacher cross. Midway through the half came Celtic's best effort of the game. McCarthy rose to head a Morris cross, but Billy Thomson dived brilliantly to keep it out. Celtic, as usual, battled hard but failed to breakdown a United defence which had to be re-organised after the loss of Paul Hegarty as early as the 25th minute. As time ran out Joe McLeod had a tremendous chance to score a second, but Andrews beat his shot away for a corner.