Dundee United inflicted a significant blow on Celtic’s Scottish Premiership title defence with a shock 2-0 victory at Tannadice to maintain their very own high six ambitions alive.
The champions now path leaders Hearts by 5 factors, and rivals Rangers by two, as Martin O’Neill suffered simply his second home defeat since returning to the membership.
A primary objective in nearly two years for Will Ferry and a primary in Tangerine for January signing Emmanuel Agyei earned United a second successive house victory over Celtic for the primary time since 1991.
They’ve closed the hole on sixth-place Falkirk to 6 factors with two video games till the break up, however should additionally overturn a objective distinction of seven if they’re to safe essentially the most unlikely of high half finishes.
Celtic huffed and puffed on the weather-beaten floor however lacked high quality within the remaining third and have been deservedly crushed by Jim Goodwin’s ruthless outfit.
United went 2-0 up within the Dundee derby final week and crumbled, they did the other this time.
If something, it may’ve been extra.
The stress was on the champions after title rivals Hearts and Rangers received their respective matches on Saturday, and it confirmed.
O’Neill’s facet have been alleged to be boosted by the returns of influential captain Callum McGregor and striker Kelechi Iheanacho, however they every lasted simply 56 minutes.
Regardless of the reintroduction of their metronome, Celtic lacked rhythm and by no means actually seemed like scoring.
Max Watters and Ferry each got here near discovering an opener within the first half because the hosts seemed to play on the counter with little menace coming from their passive guests.
Kieran Tierney sliced one over and Ashley Maynard-Brewer pulled off an excellent save to disclaim Iheanacho, however that was it when it comes to their first half probabilities.
The pitch was dry, bobbly, sandy – not precisely conducive to good soccer, however that doesn’t excuse Celtic’s lack of depth.
Six minutes into the second interval, Ferry punished them.
A sweeping counter resulted within the two wing-backs combining as Luca Stephenson picked out his teammate who transformed on the again submit.
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Emmanuel Agyei scored Dundee United’s second
They usually did not cease there.
Agyei added a chic second quarter-hour later when he stepped onto a poor clearance and drilled a first-time effort into the underside nook from the sting of the world.
Vicko Sevelj, Amar Fatah and Ferry once more all endeavoured to make it three thereafter because the champions slumped to defeat.
Barring a speculative effort from Reo Hatate, which was practically dropped into his personal objective by Maynard-Brewer, and a sliding effort at a large angle from Daizen Maeda, O’Neill’s males did not create any actual alternatives.
They dominated possession, however that was the one metric through which they bettered their solely opponents.
With the worldwide break on the horizon, this sore defeat will stew within the minds of the Celtic supporters who know the title is, as soon as once more, not of their palms.
Seven video games to go. Eighth defeat of the season.
O’Neill: We aren’t completed but
Celtic supervisor Martin O’Neill seems to be dejected at full time after dropping to Dundee United
Celtic supervisor Martin O’Neill on Sky Sports activities:
“We had lots of possession within the first half, we have been camped exterior their penalty space however weren’t in a position to penetrate their staff and within the second half we misplaced our manner fully. The primary objective was going to be very important within the sport and we most likely did not create sufficient and possibly we did not alter within the second half to situations however that is taking nothing away from Dundee United – they deserved to win.
“The sport obtained away from us, that is true. Objectives win matches and we chased the sport a little bit bit however, even so, we should always have been in a position to do higher. This was all the time going to be a tough sport for us, away right here at Tannadice, I’ve by no means had a simple sport right here.
“It’s a setback at this specific time of the season and you’ll’t actually afford to do this however we aren’t completed but.
“Lots to replicate on [over the international break]. Over the past couple of months, we now have proven a extremely nice spirit and willpower to battle again in matches to go and claw late targets. The battle and willpower was type of an indicator for us and that was lacking within the second half right now.”
