celts slip in united stalemate

Gregor Kyle
IT was a disappointing return to league business for Celtic after the recent demands of the UEFA Champions League and Scottish Cup as Gordon Strachan's side dropped two points in a goal-less draw with Dundee United.

Despite carving out the better chances and having the bulk of possession, the players could not break down a resilient United side.
 
The game initially started well for Celtic who got out the blocks quickly and largely dominated proceedings in the first half hour of the match.

Playing entertaining football, the team carved out a couple of early chances, with Shunsuke Nakamura the first man to clip the United post with just three minutes on the clock.

This was followed by good chances for Scott McDonald and Georgios Samaras and as Celtic kept possession, the on-form Aiden McGeady and full-back Andreas Hinkel were influential on either flank.

Then, in the 31st minute, McDonald was the next man to hit the post, showing great strength to hold off Garry Kenneth as he was put through by a Scott Brown pass.

But as the half wore on, Celtic allowed their opponents into the match and United duly created the chance of the half.

It was right-back Michael Kovacevic who got to the byline and lifted in a ball to the near post that dropped perfectly for Craig Conway inside the six-yard box, but the midfielder got under it and sent his header well over the bar.

Celtic again took possession after the restart, but aside from a couple of Nakamura free-kicks, the first of which flashed across the face of the goal and the second sailed over the crossbar, the chances were few and far between.

Spurred on by the supporters in the closing minutes of the game, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had a glorious chance but headed Nakamura’s cross from the left over the bar.

Still Celtic persevered, with Hinkel driving a shot at Lukasz Zaluska with just two minutes remaining and when the referee added on four minutes of additional time, a desperate roar rose up from the stands.

But despite a show of determination, the players could not unlock the United defence.

Scottish Premier League
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Celtic Park, Glasgow

CELTIC… 0
DUNDEE UNITED… 0

CELTIC (4-4-2) Boruc; Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor; Nakamura, Brown, Sno (Robson 62), McGeady; McDonald, Samaras (Vennegoor of Hesselink 62).
Subs: M Brown, O’Dea, Hartley, Donati, Riordan.
DUNDEE UNITED (4-5-1) Zaluska; Kovacevic, Wilkie, Kenneth, Grainger; O’Brien, Robertson (Flood 75), Buaben, Kerr, Conway (Daly 84); De Vries (Hunt 77).
Subs: McLean, Dillon, Dods, Swanson.