- Sandaza (47), Sandaza (58)
- McDonald (24), Naylor (81)
- Date:2009-03-22
- Kick-off:14:00
- Venue:Tannadice Park
- Attendance:12043
- Referee:Conroy, S
Live Commentary
90mins
The ref has blown his whistle for full time.
87mins
James Wesolowski is being taken off, David Robertson has come on in his place.
84mins
Dundee Utd are replacing Warren Feeney with Jon Daly.
83mins
Craig Conway is replaced by Danny Swanson.
81mins
Goal!! Lee Naylor scores for Celtic.
75mins
Celtic are replacing Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink with Georgios Samaras.
61mins
Celtic are replacing Shunsuke Nakamura with Willo Flood.
60mins
The referee has booked Scott McDonald.
58mins
Goal!! Dundee Utd have scored with Francisco Jose Sandaza putting it in the back of the net.
47mins
Goal!! Dundee Utd have scored with Francisco Jose Sandaza putting it in the back of the net.
46mins
The second half is under way with the score currently at 0 v 1.
45mins
The ref has blown his whistle for half time.
33mins
Warren Feeney is booked for unsporting behaviour.
24mins
Goal!! Celtic have scored with Scott McDonald putting it in the back of the net.
0mins
It's 2pm on Sunday, March 22nd, the match has kicked off.
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Match Report
There was no change at the top of the SPL table as Celtic fought back to take a hard-earned point away from Tannadice against a United side which, after fighting against the wind in the first period, came storming back and were unlucky not to take all three points.
With the flags viciously flapping behind, the Bhoys started in top gear with Aiden McGeady almost drawing first blood inside two two minutes as he danced past two defenders before firing just over from the edge of the box.
Apart from Warren Feeney's token 25-yard effort in the 13th minute, it was very much the Tangerines on the back foot in the opening 20 minutes as they tried to counter both the conditions and playing uphill.
But they eventually relented in the 23rd minute with a cheap goal from Scott McDonald.
Paul Hartley's corner was headed on by Feeney and with Lee Wilkie pleading he had been fouled, the little poacher nipped in to head home Lukasz Zaluska's poor clearance for his 16th goal of the season.
It took United 28 minutes to construct a move of value and it almost brought reward as a superb three-man passage of play ended with Craig Conway's low volley being brilliantly turned around the post by Artur Boruc.
However with the wind, the visitors held their advantage and in the 38th minute, Zaluska made amends with a wonderful stop from McDonald.
Two minutes later a lunging foot from Paul Dixon prevented a certain McGeady goal and from the resulting corner, Morgaro Gomis hooked Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink's header off the line.
But it was game on after 47 minutes when Franco Sandaza took advantage of some free space from Dixon's corner to glance the ball into the top corner from nine yards out.
And the game was turned on its head nine minutes later when Sandaza grabbed his second again from isolated position.
James Wesolowski sent Dixon down the right and with his weaker foot he dragged the ball across the box for the Spaniard to sweep the ball past the outstretched arms of Boruc.
With United in control, there was no shortage of chances for them to extend their lead, although the Hoops had a few opportunities to grab the equaliser.
And they did take one in the 81st minute when a cross flew off the head of Garry Kenneth and was volleyed home like a bullet by Lee Naylor from the edge of the box.
Dundee United Team
Celtic Team
Dundee United | Celtic |
Corners
| 7 | 6 |
Fouls
| 9 | 11 |
Goal attempts
| 15 | 12 |
Shots off target
| 7 | 5 |
Offsides
| 3 | 7 |