Celtic1–0Dundee Utd

Celtic recorded their first win of the season over us in what was a disappointing match. Following the Cup tie with East Fife, manager Jim McLean relegated Paddy Connolly to the subs bench and reinstated Christian Dailly to the starting line-up. Hamish French came in for Michael O'Neill whilst Dutchman Gijs Steinmann took over from the injured John Clark. The first threat on either goal came when Christian Dailly sent the ball through to Hamish French who escaped the clutches of Elliot with a quick turn but Bonner came out to take the ball at the United centre's feet. Two minutes later Billy McKinlay sent in a low drive just wide after Freddy Van Der Hoorn touched a short free-kick into his path. Celtic's first shot on target came after quarter of an hour when Wdowczyk powered in a shot which Alan Main failed to hold at the first attempt, but he recovered quickly to grab the ball at the second attempt. In twenty-two minutes Duncan Ferguson twisted to turn a Billy McKinlay corner past the near post. A minute later Christian Dailly sent in a header from a Gijs Steinmann cross which Paddy Bonner plucked from under the bar.

A few minutes later a mix-up in our defence almost let Paul McStay in as he beat Alan Main to the ball and forced the ball over the line, but fortunately well past the post. Ten minutes from half-time Christian Dailly found himself clear after a slip by Whyte. He raced down the right before sending in a 20 yarder which Bonner stretched to save. The closest either side came to scoring in the first half was three minutes from the interval. Our youthful striking duo of Christian Dailly and Duncan Ferguson combined to leave the latter in a one-on-one situation with Bonner. Duncan beat the Celtic 'keeper, but couldn't find the space to angle the ball into the empty net.

Celtic enjoyed the better of the early stages of the second half, but without really troubling Alan Main. In the 64th minute a bit invention by the Poles, Wdowczyk and Dziekanowski saw the latter cross and Tommy Coyne's bicycle kick drifted narrowly past. Three minutes later the former United striker enjoyed better fortune when Miller played the ball through to him and he ran in to shoot past Alan Main. Our best chance of an equaliser came a minute from time. Miller's attempted clearance rebounded off Freddy Van Der Hoorn up into the air and fell to Duncan Ferguson at the far post, but he sliced his shot past the far post, which meant we left Parkhead pointless.