Dundee Utd 3
Celtic 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

When Celtic and United faced each other at Tannadice on Saturday 10th April, 1976, it was, as most clashes between the sides are, a very meaningful affair. However, in this case it had a discernable difference. Whilst Celtic were at the top of the table a point ahead of Rangers, our position was perilously close to the foot of the Premier Division, only Dundee level with us on the 25 point mark, but with an inferior goat difference and St Johnstone already doomed for the drop were beneath us with half a dozen games left.

Despite the high stakes for both teams, this second ever Premier visit by Celtic was to turn out to be a real thriller! Though it has to be said the first half was far from being indicative of what drama was later in store. Sure it was full of the tension of the occasion, but the football was scrappy and made for dull viewing for the surprisingly low turnout of 12,771. The one highlight of the half came with the interval well within sight as United grabbed a shock lead. The Celtic defence failed to cut out Henry Hall's cross from the right and Tom McAdam hooked in a shot from 10 yards which took a deflection off Galvin to wrong-foot Latchford who could do no more than push the ball into the net.

So the Tangerines were a goal ahead at the interval and the Sporting Post half-time reflection, "with everything to play for a brighter second period is surely in store". Their correspondent could hardly have envisaged how right he'd be. There was more action in the opening ten minutes of the second half than in the whole of the first and with most of it around the Celtic goal, but Celtic countered that and drew level in the 61st minute when a Dalglish shot through a ruck of defenders found its way into the corner of the net.

The game had now really come alive and two minutes later, we went back in front. Doug Houston's chip into the visitor's box was back headed over Aitken and George Fleming stole in to nod the ball past Latchtord. The same player would have made it three very shortly afterwards when he met a Paul Hegarty head flick, but Latchford brilliantly saved his buiiet-like header The whole United side were fighting tigerishly to ensure we kept our narrow advantage. Lady luck prevailed too, most noticeably when Dalglish crashed the ball off the bar with 15 minutes left.

Four minutes from the end we increased our lead — Aitken needlessly conceded a corner on the right. Henry Hall's kick landed on the edge of the box for Paul Hegarty to head forward and Tom McAdam stooped to head the ball past Latchford Yet even this wasn't enough to kill Celtic off before the end as Deans made space for Dalglish to fire home from six yards. United's battling display secured two precious points and with Dundee going down 3-0 to Ranges at Ibrox, we were now two points better off than our City neighbours with a game in hand.