Celtic held by Dundee United but stay four points clear after 2-2 draw
Liam Scales rescued a point after Dundee United overturned Celtic’s early lead, leaving Martin O’Neill frustrated and Jim Goodwin encouraged by his side’s performance.
Celtic stayed four points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership after coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Dundee United at Celtic Park on Wednesday, 28 October. Liam Scales’s second-half equaliser saved a point for Martin O’Neill’s side, while United extended their unbeaten run to six games.
Celtic had led through Camilo Durán’s 18th-minute goal, but Zac Sapsford headed United level in the 28th minute. Neil Farrugia put the visitors ahead three minutes later with his first goal for the club, before Scales headed in the equaliser in the 64th minute, according to the Guardian’s match account.
Why Celtic’s lead stayed at four points
Celtic have won nine of their first 11 league games, with both matches in which they have dropped points played at home, according to the club’s account. Rangers also drew 2-2 at Hearts, where Olwethu Makhanya scored an 89th-minute equaliser, leaving them four points behind Celtic. United stood fifth after city rivals Dundee beat Kilmarnock 3-1, the BBC reported.
O’Neill said Celtic should have won, but suggested a point gained from behind could still prove valuable over the season. He told CelticPlayer that his team produced ‘attack after attack’ in a strong second half, while acknowledging that United could have scored on a breakaway. The Guardian also reported his frustration at failing to win at home and his praise for United’s dangerous play.
How Dundee United troubled Celtic
The BBC reported that United’s midfield trio of Zidane Iqbal, Lyall Cameron and Dylan Tait controlled the first half. It said the half-time introductions of Celtic wingers Jota and Haissem Hassan turned the game in the home side’s favour. United nevertheless held on for a point after surrendering their lead.
United manager Jim Goodwin told the BBC he was disappointed his side had not taken all three points, saying a win at Celtic Park would have been historic for the club. He credited Celtic’s half-time changes for giving the hosts fresh impetus and said he had few complaints about the final result. Goodwin said United’s position and points return after 11 games gave them something to build on.
For Celtic, the immediate task is another league game against Falkirk in a few days. O’Neill said his players would rest and do limited work between fixtures because of the run of games. His side remain top, but United’s performance showed why the second-half response was needed to protect that lead.
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Sources and context
- Manager reflects on draw with Dundee UnitedCeltic F.C. (original report, republished by Yahoo Sports)
- Dundee United: Do they have Scotland's best midfield three?BBC Sport Scotland
- Scottish Premiership: McInnes booed in Rangers draw at Hearts, Celtic held at homeThe Guardian (byline: Agencies and Guardian sport; no specific agency credit for the Celtic match account in supplied text)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.