Celtic secured a place in tomorrow evening’s Premier Sports Cup quarter final draw with a comfortable 4-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice…
Camilo Duran celebrates his goal. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
The Hoops join Kilmarnock, Ross County and Aberdeen in the draw with the other four times being played tomorrow, with holders St Mirren beginning the defence of the trophy at Ibrox.
Woodwork to Celtic’s rescue five times
The scoreline on another day could have been different as Jim Goodwin’s side managed to hit the woodwork FIVE times in a match where they had more shots on goal and more corners than Celtic but ultimately it’s about hitting the back of the net.
Auston Trusty scores. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
After Celtic hit Kilmarnock with five last weekend at Rugby Park the Hoops were limited to just the four this afternoon with Auston Trusty getting the opener on 22 minutes with a well placed header from a corner after the home side had made such a positive start to the cup-tie.
A first competitive Celtic goal for Camilo Duran
If Jim Goodwin’s men felt hard done by at that stage it got much worse a few minutes later with Camilo Duran got his first competitive goal for Celtic after being sharper than anyone else in the box. A VAR check confirmed the second Celtic goal.
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain was fortunate not to concede a penalty before the break but again VAR confirmed that the ball struck him just above the t-shirt line but raising an arm like that is a risky business. It was the correct call but once again Dundee United can reflect that Lady Luck had deserted them, much like the thousands of home fans who failed to show up.
A Tannadice hoodoo we knew nothing about
Celtic have not won a League Cup tie at Tannadice since 1978 but at the break Martin O’Neill’s side were well on the way to ending that particular wait.
Sebastian Tounekti celebrates his goal. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Dundee United came out strong in the second half, looking to get the next goal to turn the game into a proper cup-tie but after withstanding some pressure Celtic broke with Sebastian Tounekti finding the bottom corner on 54 minutes with Celtic’s first real threat since the interval.
Benjamin Nygren scores. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Our goal-a-game super Swede Benjamin Nygren
Then on 63 minutes, our goal-a-game super Swede Benjamin Nygren scored a the best goal of the game, getting his shot out from under his feet to find the top corner of the Dundee United net. Nygren also contributed with a couple of assists and for value for money he is proving to be an outstanding signing.
Haissem Hassan makes his Celtic debut. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Martin O’Neill introduced his two recent signings with Mika Baur and Haissem Hassan both introduced. The German midfielder looked lively and was certainly more involved than the Egyptian World Cup star.
Celtic support’s attention turned to thanking Reo Hatate
In the closing stages the Celtic support turned their attention to unused substitute Reo Hatate who looks set to leave the club shortly. That was a special moment for Reo and clearly well deserved for everything he’s done for the club since arriving alongside Daizen Maeda in January 2022.
Steven McLean played just 30 seconds of stoppage time, putting the home support out of their misery and helping the Hoops who now turn their attention to the hugely important Champions League qualifier on Wednesday night against Austrian Champions LASK.
Celtic supporters at Tannadice. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou
Chris Sutton had this to say on x about today’s game: “Celtic dismissed Dundee United with ease. That’s pretty impressive after last season’s struggles against them. Delighted for Camilo Duran getting his goal. Nygren’s goal was terrific.”
Man of the Match – Benjamin Nygren
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