Dundee Utd 1
Celtic 1
League (SPL)

Match Report

Jon Daly struck a sensational injury time goal which earned United a thoroughly deserved point after an early second half Nakamura free kick had looked to be enough to win the game for Celtic. United had been the better side in the first half and had also lost Barry Robson late on following a red card.

United started the stronger, rightly looking in confident mood following their 4-0 win over Hearts two weeks ago. In four minutes there was an early sight on goal for Jon Daly following good build-up play involving Robb, Robson and Duff but the Irish striker sent in an effort which was a comfortable take for Celtic keeper Artur Boruc. Five minutes later Mark Kerr went close with an effort from outside the area which just swerved away from the right hand post. With half an hour played Steven Robb nearly gave United the lead when his in-swinging cross from the right caught out Boruc and crashed off the crossbar, unfortunately for the Terrors no one was on hand to capitalise on the rebound. Possibly the clearest sight on goal came for United with around five minutes of the half remaining. Robson cut back to Daly from the bye line, and the United lone striker held off his defender well before playing in Samuel who fired a low right foot shot narrowly wide of the post from eight yards.

Despite such a good opening half for the home side it was Celtic who broke the deadlock two minutes into the second period. After David McCracken was adjudged to have fouled Venegoor of Hesselink outside the box, Nakamura stepped up to curl an impressive free kick over the wall and into the bottom left corner of Stillie’s net, with the United keeper left rooted to the spot. United tried to hit back and Daly did have the ball in the net five minutes later, after bundling home following a Boruc save from his initial header, but the linesman had raised his flag when Robson knocked on Duff’s initial cross. Venegoor of Hesselink then missed a good chance when with just Stillie in front of him the Dutch striker rolled a left foot attempt narrowly wide of the right post. Late on Robson was red carded following an incident off the ball with Lee Naylor of Celtic, before Venegoor of Hesselink again angled a shot wide from a good position. Daly then dramatically became the hero in injury time for United with his half volley from outside the area ensuring United left with the point which was the minimum reward their efforts deserved.