Dundee Utd 3
Celtic 2
League (Premier Division)

Match Report

A great victory over Celtic helped United draw within three points of the League leaders in an exciting tussle which kept the crowd warm on a freezing cold day. The spoils didn't come our way easily despite the fact that we established a two goal lead immediately after the interval. A Paul Sturrock free-kick from the right was flicked on to an unmarked Iain Ferguson who hammered past Bonner. The remainder of the half produced little activity for either keeper with both defences on top.

The same cannot be said of the second half. Three minutes after the restart a long clearance by Billy Thomson was headed on by Iain Ferguson and Kevin Gallacher nipped in behind Willie McStay to knock the ball past Bonner. The Tangerine joy was curtailed two minutes later when a similar defensive error allowed Brian McClalr to pull a goal back. McClair then equalised eight minutes later with a volley when he found himself in space after the United defence failed to cut out a cross from the right. The succession of defensive errors continued when substitute Paul Kinnaird, with almost his first touch, sent over an inviting low cross which the Celtic defence ignored to let Eamonn Bannon in to sweep home the winner. A spirited surge by the visitors as they sought an equaliser was repelled thanks to two fine saves from Billy Thomson and a headed clearance by Maurice Malpas.