Sleepy Celtic stumbled to a goalless draw at Tannadice as the after effects of last weekend’s Cup Final classic were there for all to see.
Dogged Dundee Utd were happy for Brendan Rodgers‘ much changed side to do the running, and it proved a task too far for the Premiership leaders, who were weakened out of necessity with the thrills and spills of Hampden seeming a distant memory of those watching on.
A forgettable first half saw nine attempts from Celtic, zero from United and not one on target. Two identical Luke McCowan efforts either side of Kyogo curling over was as close as we came to a goal, while Reo Hatate fired over. United woke up after the break as Glenn Middleton registered their first attempt within two minutes of the restart. Adam Idah almost woke everyone up from their Christmas stupur immediately after coming on, but dragged a snapshot just wide.
Kyogo almost gift wrapped the opener for the hosts, He tried to dribble out of his own box and Middleton pounced with a sort of tackle-shot combo that Kasper Schmeichel – finally with something to do – had to stretch to keep out.
Kyogo didn’t fare much better at the other end. A nice first-time lay-off from Idah put him in on goal, but the Japanese appeared caught between finishing first time and taking a touch, did neither, and made a complete mess of the best chance of the game. As the game ticked into stoppage time, United had Walton to tank for keeping it goalles. Arne Engels stabbed goalwards from close range after collecting a Greg Taylor cutback, but the on-loan Luton keeper did well to block. Here’s three talking points from Tayside
Cup Final hangover
Celtic had to dig deep last weekend and an intense 120 minutes would be understandable had it not been a much changed Celtic team. Injury and illness meant Rodgers made five changes. Therefore there wasn’t much of an excuse for the champions looking as lethargic as they did. Those who didn’t start or missed out completely last week should have been hungry to prove a point. But it was a laboured display on Tayside that the boss will hope won’t be repeated now it’s out the system.
All I want for Christmas is some back up wingers
Brendan Rodgers’ options out wide when he doesn’t have Nicolas Kuhn available leave a lot to be desired. You know Daizen Maeda will run all day, but when a bit more guile is needed, his skillset isn’t what you are relying on. Even James Forrest’s absence was felt as Rodgers went with Yang, who put in a low ball to no-one in the first half and not much else. It’s desperate when Luis Palma is thrown on and despite him seeing plenty of the ball, didn’t do nearly enough with it.
Goody grinds it out
United offered nothing in the first half and were fortunate Celtic couldn’t find their range. The half-time team talk would have demanded more of a threat going forward, and there was one after the break to an extent. Still, this is a solid looking unit Goodwin has and United sneaked back into the top four with a point. On this evidence, they;ve enough about them to be there or thereabouts come May.