SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE:Celtic 2 Dundee Utd 1
IT WAS more frenetic than appeared likely at times, but Celtic achieved three things with this win over Dundee United.
Rangers cannot now clinch the Premier League championship this weekend, while some of the gloom on account of the Old Firm derby defeat on Saturday has been lifted at Parkhead. The defending champions have also returned to the top of the table but Rangers can regain that position with a win over Hibernian tonight.
Gordon Strachan’s decision to omit Aiden McGeady from his starting XI for the weekend visit to Ibrox has arguably been as discussed in its aftermath as much as the match itself.
McGeady was recalled here, but it was another returning man, Georgios Samaras, who halfvolleyed the first chance of the evening against a United post after 13 minutes. From those early moments, Celtic’s intent was clear.
Not that the visitors could stand accused of lacking motivation, as United are in the midst of a keen battle with Hearts for third place. Francisco Sandaza emphasised their attitude, forcing Artur Boruc into a fine save.
Glenn Loovens proved the unlikely source of the opening goal with a header from Shunsuke Nakamura’s corner.
Scott McDonald twice came close to settling matters before the break, and Garry Kenneth should have punished that wastefulness within minutes of the restart. Samaras proved more accurate, although his strike from 18 yards took a deflection on its way beyond Lukasz Zaluska.
That goal prompted a dominant spell from United and David Robertson prodded home at the back post having been picked out by Paul Dixon.
Rangers’ attempt to see out the closing three games of the season to take the title has suffered a blow by the recurrence of an injury to striker Kenny Miller.
The former Celtic player set up the only goal of Rangers’ victory on Saturday, and he would have almost certainly started in tonight’s visit to Hibernian.
However, a nerve problem above Miller’s hamstring is causing discomfort and he is now facing a race against time for the Aberdeen match at the weekend.
Aberdeen last night missed out on the opportunity to boost their chances of qualifying for Europe after being held to a goalless draw by 10-man Hearts.
- Guardian Service
Loovens 22 Samaras 52
CELTIC:Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, Loovens, Naylor, Nakamura (Flood 85), Scott Brown, Crosas (Hartley 61), McGeady, McDonald, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 76). Subs not used: Mark Brown, O'Dea, Conroy, Maloney. Booked: Loovens, Hartley.
DUNDEE UTD:Zaluska, Kovacevic (Dillon 88), Kenneth, Wilkie, Dixon, Swanson (Shala 58), David Robertson, Buaben, Gomis, Conway, Sandaza (Goodwillie 81). Subs not used: McGovern, Scott Robertson, Grainger, Dods. Booked: Wilkie, Conway.
Referee:S Dougal (Scotland).
Remaining Fixtures
Tonight (all 7.45pm) – Hamilton v Falkirk; Hibernian v Rangers (live on Setanta Ireland); Kilmarnock v St Mirren; Motherwell v Inverness CT. Saturday (all 3pm unless stated) – Rangers v Aberdeen, 12.30pm; Falkirk v St Mirren; Hamilton v Motherwell; Hearts v Dundee Utd; Kilmarnock v Inverness. Sunday – Hibernian v Celtic, 1pm. Saturday, May 23rd (all 12.30pm) – Inverness CT v Falkirk; Motherwell v Kilmarnock; St Mirren v Hamilton. Sunday, May 24th (all 1pm) – Aberdeen v Hibernian; Celtic v Hearts; Dundee Utd v Rangers.
