Celtic Football Club don fail to win important match for Scottish Premiership as dem draw 0-0 with Dundee United for Tannadice Park. The match wey happen on Sunday afternoon don show say Celtic dey struggle to catch up with league leaders Hearts and Rangers. Martin O'Neill team need win to move up for table, but dem no fit break down United defence.
The match start with both teams dey try play football, but the pitch condition spoil everything. Pat Bonner, former Celtic goalkeeper wey dey commentate for BBC Sportsound, talk say “the players are not used to the pitch” and compare am to “golf shot out of a bunker.” The surface wey full of sand make ball dey bounce anyhow, and players no fit control am well.
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin don prepare him team well for this match. United players dey defend strong and no give Celtic chance to score. Will Ferry almost score early for United, but Celtic goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo save him shot. For United side, Ashley Maynard-Brewer also make important save when Kelechi Iheanacho shoot ball from inside box.
Martin O’Neill make surprise decision to start Kelechi Iheanacho for this match. The Nigerian striker no don start game for Celtic since Wilfried Nancy days, but O’Neill talk say Iheanacho “has done very very well in training.” O’Neill also explain say Tomas Cvancara no dey for squad because the Czech striker dey sick all week.
Benjamin Arthur, the young defender wey join Celtic from Brentford on loan, continue to impress for Celtic defence. The 20-year-old play well against United striker Max Watters and show say he fit handle pressure for important matches. Arthur don make five appearances for Celtic since January.
The match dey go on with both teams dey try find winning goal. Kieran Tierney almost score for Celtic when Benjamin Nygren corner kick reach him, but him shot go over the bar. Liam Scales, Celtic defender, nearly get red card when him foul Neil Farrugia for edge of box, but referee only give free kick.
Chris Sutton, former Celtic striker wey dey commentate for Sky Sports, talk say United dey defend well and Celtic passing no quick enough. Sutton add say “the pitch is not conducive to good football, definitely not.” Statistics show say Celtic get more possession but United get same amount of touches for opposition box.
For second half, the game continue with same pattern. Celtic dey control ball but no create clear chances. United dey wait for counter-attack opportunities. The match end 0-0, and this result mean say Celtic no fit move up for table. United point help dem small for fight to avoid bottom six finish.
This draw come after Celtic title rivals Hearts and Rangers win their matches on Saturday. Celtic now dey third position for Scottish Premiership table, and dem need win all their remaining matches to have chance win title. The team dey chase five-in-a-row championship, but this season don full of challenges.
Martin O’Neill first game as Celtic manager happen for Tannadice 26 years ago. That time, Celtic win 2-0 with goals from Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton. But today match different story as O’Neill team no fit find winning formula. The Celtic manager talk before match say “it will be a really difficult game for us” and him predictions come true.
Dundee United fans dey happy with their team performance. United almost win derby match against Dundee last week before dem draw 2-2, and this draw against Celtic show say dem fit compete with top teams. Jim Goodwin, United manager, talk before match say if dem “replicate the performance we put in last Sunday we’ll give ourselves a really good chance.”
The match also bring discussion about Kasper Schmeichel injury situation. The Celtic goalkeeper don dey play with injury for some matches, and pundits dey debate whether him brave or selfish. Michael Gannon write for Daily Record say Schmeichel deserve credit “for giving it a bash” but medical staff suppose don remove am from matches earlier.
As Scottish Premiership season dey near end, every point dey important. Celtic next matches go determine whether dem fit challenge for title or not. The team need improve their performance quickly if dem want catch Hearts and Rangers. For now, the draw for Tannadice show say Celtic still get work to do.
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