Dundee Utd 0 Celtic 2

Last updated : 10 November 2002 By Footymad Previewer

In this, his first game as manager, Paul Hegarty would have been delighted with the efforts of his players when they made Celtic fight all the way for victory at Tannadice.

Under the auspices of their new manager, this was a vastly different side from the meek offering under the previous incumbent, Alex Smith.

As expected, the Hoops took the early advantage with both John Hartson and Henrik Larsson coming close in the opening ten minutes, although Charlie Miller did give some hope at the other end with a 20-yard low curler.

As it was, after a spirited start from the Tangerines, it took 14 minutes until the visitors went ahead. Following a quick but controversial Alan Thompson free-kick, Steve Guppy took the ball down the left and crossed for Hartson to rise above both Chris Sutton and the United defence to nod in from six yards.

Two minutes later, it was almost and should have been two. Thompson was kindly given the break of the ball on the penalty spot and with only Paul Gallacher to beat he slipped it wide.

Despite the pressure, United did not lie down, fighting for every ball. With half an hour on the clock a brilliant stop from Rab Douglas prevented the equaliser following Jim Lauchlan's back header from Miller's cross.

Four minutes from the break, the Celts pushed for the second. Firstly Larsson was deemed to have fallen in the penalty box under pressure from Mark Wilson then in the following minute the Swede's wonderful 22-yard free-kick was matched by Gallacher's save.

The second period resumed with the visitors continuing to dominate possession but facing with a resilient United. The visitors looked most threatening with set plays such as in the 56th minute when Bobo Balde came close with a thundering header from Thompson's free-kick.

The pace continued to be fast and furious with tackles following at the smart rate. Celtic's fluidity was obviously affected as they found difficulty in braking down the Terrors.

However the game was settled two minutes from time with a replica of the first goal. Another controversial free-kick from Thompson was floated over for Sutton to out-jump David McCracken and head past the diving Gallacher