David Potter’s Match Report: Celtic 1 Dundee United 1

This was what the Boys Own style of writing would call a “rip-roaring” Cup tie. It had everything to get the fans interested – sendings off, a disputed penalty, a good goal, many near things – and generally speaking it was one of these games that had everyone drained of emotion at the end. It was an exhausting experience just watching it.

That is from the “football” point of view. From a Celtic point of view, it has to be looked upon as a slight disappointment that we did not make more of the opportunities that came our way. Yet at one point – at half time – we were facing the prospect of going out of the Scottish Cup against difficult opposition and an officious refereeing team, but the team buckled to the task, got back into the game and the bottom line is that although we are disappointed today, we are still in all three competitions.The Treble is still on.

The refereeing to an extent spoiled the game. The sendings off were wrong and so unnecessary, for a wiser referee at that early stage of the game might have decided that a quiet word would have done the job equally well. Even Paul Dixon – I have never agreed with that rule, but it is a rule – but then again any sympathy tends to evaporate when one recalls his provocative behaviour to the Celtic support after United scored their penalty. Penalty? Ronnie Deila is surely correct to describe that as simply a “dive”. It was cheating, and the sad thing was that it worked.

Dundee United’s goalkeeper had a good game. He has had a poor season, I am told, but he chose yesterday to have his best ever game for the club. But for him, Celtic would have won comfortably.

As for Celtic, there was little wrong with the build-up work, but there was a disturbing lack of incision in the forwards. Guidetti might have won the game for Celtic, but once again, it didn’t work for him. We must soon (in the next six days, for preference) find ways of putting the ball in the net. Maybe we should practice more shooting from a distance rather than trying to beat defenders and goalkeepers and walk the ball into the net?

So nothing really decided yesterday, but a lot, I hope, had been learned. Go to it, Celtic!

Craig Gordon – 10/10 – good. Was close to saving that penalty

Efe Ambrose – 8/10 – a few errors, but generally a good game

Jason Denayer – 10/10 – once again, outstanding in defence

Virgil van Dijk – not with us long enough for a mark, but I hope he appeals against that red card

Emilio Izaguirre  – 7/10 – worked hard, but the Dundee United penalty would not have happened if he had dealt with that ball on the left wing a little better

Scott Brown – 9/10 – another sterling performance, but his part in the sending off reflects him little credit

Nir Bitton – 9/10 – defended well when circumstances demanded it

Stefan Johansen – 9/10 – excellent throughout with only a few errors

James Forrest – 8/10 – better than of late, but still persists in running across the field with the ball

Anthony Stokes – 8/10 – worked hard, but without the success he deserves

Leigh Griffiths – 9/10 – redeemed himself for the penalty which nevertheless would have beaten many goalkeepers

John Guidetti – 6/10 – once again disappointed

Stefan Scepovic ,Darnell Fisher – neither on for long enough to be assessed

Dundee United – defended well, and good goalkeeping, but we should have now had a chance to get the measure of them

Referee – got most of the small decisions right, but at least two major howlers

Celtic Crowd – very vocal and enthusiastic, but on at least two occasions, I saw paper cups thrown on. Cut it out, boys and girls!

Reflections – an exhausting 90 minutes for everyone. Probably advantage Celtic, but still too close to call.