Dundee Utd 1
Celtic 1
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

After the disappointing defeat at Perth, Manager Jim McLean rang the changes and the recast Tangerines made most of the early running with John Clark back in his original position of striker, heading into Bonner's arms after a couple of minutes. Normally these are cavalier contests, but with both sides going down the previous weekend, a more cautious approach was adopted by each side. Celtic, for example, created only a couple of real chances, though it did take a goal-line clearance by Jim McInally to keep out a Gillespie header. As a subdued opening period appeared to be heading to a goalless conclusion fortune favoured United. Mike Galloway, under pressure from Paddy Connolly, lofted a back-pass over Bonner and into his own net.

Celtic may have had the bulk of possession after the interval, but made little headway towards goal and indeed the two most noteworthy attempts on goal came from United. The prospects of Celtic salvaging anything from the game looked remote and when they did snatch a goal, it came right out of the blue. A hopeful cross into the box struck the post and Charlie Nicholas, a second half substitute, scrambled the ball over the line for a late equaliser.