Celtic fail to hold lead against Dundee United at Parkhead
Liam Scales scored a late header to force a 2-2 draw, but the league leaders could not convert sustained pressure into a win.
By Samir Doyle ·
Camilo Durán scored eleven goals this season, but that tally did not secure a victory for Celtic on Tuesday evening. The Colombian striker put the home side ahead in the 18th minute, yet the match ended in a 2-2 draw against Dundee United at Parkhead.
Martin O’Neill’s team started strong. Durán tapped in from seven yards after Kasper Hogh set him up, creating a comfortable lead. The goal seemed to settle the contest, but Dundee United responded quickly to challenge the league leaders.
Zac Sapsford leveled the score in the 28th minute with a glancing header from a Lyall Cameron cross. The ball flew past Celtic goalkeeper Sam Johnstone into the far corner. Just three minutes later, Neil Farrugia gave the visitors the lead. Farrugia, a former Shamrock Rovers defender making his first start of the season for Dundee, headed a rebound from a Cameron free-kick. The shot deflected off Liam Scales before entering the net.
The second half saw Celtic control the tempo. O’Neill substituted Hogh and Osmand for Haissem Hassan and Jota at the break. The changes sparked immediate offensive pressure. Dundee goalkeeper Jack Walton made key saves on efforts from Nygren and Jota, keeping the visitors in the match despite the volume of shots.
Scales equalized in the 64th minute. He rose highest to head a cross from Jota past Walton from eight yards. This marked the Republic of Ireland international’s equalizer in a tense final stretch. Celtic pressed for a winner, but Dundee United defended resiliently to hold on for the point.
Dundee United had arrived in good form, unbeaten in their previous five matches. They sought to improve a long-standing record that saw them fail to win at Celtic Park since December 1992. Although they fell short of a victory, they avoided a loss in front of their home crowd.
Celtic remain league leaders with nine wins and one defeat in their first ten domestic fixtures. This result contrasts with their European campaign, where they have lost all three Europa League matches this season. The domestic league offers a more stable environment for the club.
Dundee manager Jim Goodwin left the park with a point. His side featured on-loan QPR attacker Daniel Bennie on the bench. The visitors maintained their defensive structure until the final whistle, forcing the home team to share the spoils in a competitive Scottish Premiership encounter.
